Fashion, Put it All on Me. Don't You Want to See These Clothes on Me. - Lady Gaga

I'm done this summer weather. I can't, anymore. This is going on the 40-something-th day of over 95 degrees in this DMV. For someone who yearns for 65-80 degree weather, I die a bit each day. I have experienced the worst winter ever and I'm experiencing hands DOWN the worst summer ever. This past week, ALONE, we've had 100+ degrees days. Whaaaa? I don't know how peeps in TX and NV and AZ deal with this mess every freakin' summer. I can't deal. How people could yearn for summer and its unbearable sun and humidity is quite shocking. You step out the front door and your nicely it-took-me-damn-near-twenty-minutes-to-press hair has now turned into a furball. You immediately start sweating before you reach your car, which is only 20ft away. You finally get to your car, and before you can even open the door, you've fainted. This is damn near every day. No sir. I'm over it.

Another reason why summer is just not the business for me is because of the lack of fashion. Not a lot of inspired fashion when everybody is damn near naked outside due to 120 degrees. That's why I am a Spring and Fall season kind of girl. Not only does it have great weather (remember, 65-80 degrees makes Ms. Royal Reigns a very happy broad) but also great fashion, too. You guys don't know how much I'm feening for some black tights, over the knee boots, booties, cardigans...*Homer's voice* Mmm...cardigans...scarves, blazers, etc. YOU. JUST. DON'T. KNOW. *le sigh*

So, naturally, I've been scoping out my usual online stores. Feeding my "window" shopping appetite. (nom...nom...nom) Here are a couple of items from my favorite online store, ASOS. Got me preparing for the cooler weather. Yay! Also, hoping these items shall make an appearance in my closet before my birthday month (OMWord, that's like in...*counts fingers*...August, September, October...3 months away! It was just January yesterday! Dead serious.)

Music Note Knitted Jumper

This jumper/sweater had me at hello with those music notes scattered all over (front AND back). I kinda wished it came in a different color (I'm thinking navy blue) but please, it's still nice. And 3/4 sleeves? Once again, hello!

Dobby Mesh Panel Ruched Sleeve

The color red does nothing for me. Not saying, red makes me look dowdy or anything cause, please, any color looks good on me (allow my 5 seconds of cockiness, mmkay?). I'm just not drawn to the color like, say, a purple or yellow. I have only 2 items of red in my closet: a blazer and a boyfriend cardigan. That's it. Just recently I bought my first (and probably last...? *high shrug*) red lipstick: M.A.C. Ruby Woo. Then, of course, it got stolen. So me and red? Not a good look. Loving this dress, though. Especially, the dotted mesh panel.

Ruched Waist Chiffon Dress

Not only does it have an elastic, ruched waist but I'm loving the wintergreen color.

Jersey Batwing Contrast Skirt Dress

This dress is so me. The nude color of the batwing blouse is awesome.

Heart Jacquard Cardigan

Trust and believe I am the person that will buy the same item in two different colors. I mean, if it's cute, it's cute.

Printed Pintuck Front Blouse

I like the 60s/70s vibe of the design with a little twist: it's sheer. Works great with a bodycon skirt (as seen in photo) or tapered slacks or even jeans.

I'm out like like these braids I just took out. I just don't know what next to do with this hair. Hmmph.

Don't Watch Me, Watch TV - Juelz Santana

What's that great scent in the air? It's the smell of Emmy nominations! *stadium filled roar ensues*


My joy runneth over when I saw that Matthew Fox was nominated for Best Actor. Now, will he win? *fingers crossed* I am also thrilled about the best comedy this year (and it's really no competition, folks): "Modern Family". The whole adult cast was nominated except Ed O' Neil who plays sarcastic lovable prick, Jay Pritchett. That's a damn shame cause he's my favorite character after Cameron Tucker, who's played by Eric Stonestreet (thankfully and deservedly, he was nominated). Even though he would've been a loooong shot, I was still having hope that Rico Rodriquez would've been nominated. If anything watch "Modern Family" for him. He plays Manny Delgado, a 50yr old man stuck in a 10yr old body. Kid you not. He wears ascot, has tea time and speaks like we're in the year 1930 instead of 2010. I love him.


"Glee" and "Mad Men" were nominated multiple times. In fact, I think they had the most nominations. Due to the hype of these two shows, I tried to give both of them a try. I still don't get it. "Glee" is cheesy to the core. Don't get me wrong, great cast and very talented but sometimes the jokes are HIGH-larious and other times I'm wincing. The best thing outta the show is Sue Sylvester played perfectly by Jane Lynch. And the fascination with Matthew Morrison is quite bothersome. The dude is barely funny, not that great of a singer (and why oh why do they insist on making the dude rap every other episode...make it stop) and above all not that hot. Same goes for "Mad Men". I tried watching the 1st season and was stumped. Watched the 1st episode at least 3 times and always, without fail, pause it, do something else, and totally forget that I was watching it. So I watched the 2nd episode and onwards. I mean, it's alright but I just don't get the hype. I think people are drawn into the style of the show. I mean, the 60s had great style. And the best thing to come outta it is the sexiness of Jon Hamm and the va va voom of Christina Hendricks. I would LOVE to have a body like that. So whoever watches "Glee" and/or "Mad Men", please tell me what I'm missing out on. Cause me don't get it.


Since we're on the topic of TV, last night I was watching one of my favorite summer shows, "So You Think You Can Dance". Usually, I don't agree with one, maybe two judges of the night. There's usually a sensible one of the group. Well, not last night. The judges completely disgusted me with their actions. One thing I've noticed with SYTYCD and most definitely the pioneer of this, "American Idol" is that when the judges want a contestant gone, they will go to every extent to make that person evaporate. And that's what happened to poor AdeChike last night. I think he did great in his two performances. The judges, however, completely ripped out his heart, stomped on it, spit on it, tore it to little pieces, grabbed a stapler and proceed to staple the pieces back into a heart formation, crushed it and put it back in AdeChike's body. It was that bad. I have never seen a more blatant attempt to push a contestant out of the competition. I hope the judges look back at themselves last night to see how vile they appeared. America does not need that kind of manipulation. I think America is smart enough to think for themselves. (Pause) Ok, that's sorta not true. We had the Gore/Bush debacle. There was America prolonging Sanjaya's appearance longer than usual. J. Hudson voted off way too soon and in the "It Still Hurts So Badly" department, Chris Daughtry coming in 4th. Overlooking those missteps, America still deserves to be allowed to think and vote however they feel like. So for the judges to cater to that kind of behavior makes me *side eye* what their intentions really are for the show. I mean, how can one contestant who clearly is out of his element in a dance genre get a reprise because he has a beautiful smile and shows heart? Whaaa? Isn't the objective of the show to find America's best dancer? I'm lost. I'm not trying to view some horrible dancing on my TV set every week, however funny it would be. Also, Cat Deely not nominated for Best Host is just simply a travesty.


Well, the Emmys will be broadcasted live August 29th on NBC. You should watch it.


I'm out like Simon Cowell on "American Idol". You will be missed, my friend.


p.s. You can thank me later: Alex "Freakin'" Wong

There was smoke in the air before. Now it's me clearing it. That felt good. - Drake

What it do, homies! This has been a long time coming, man. There is no exuse (especially given the amount of free time I have on my hands) for not updating this blog. This blog that I wanted to express my random thoughts. Show you guys what I love and don't love. I was even teteering on this blog becoming a OOTD (Outfit of the Day, for all my non-fashion folks. Looking @ you, Taynement). So much thoughts, so much procratistination. A damn shame, for real.

Anywho, Twitter and Cafe World has taken over my life. Dead serious bout this. Dead. If you're a regular of this blog you'll know that me was not a fan of Twitter. At all. I just didn't understand the concept of updating your status every 5 minutes. Especially, given the early years of Twitter when folks were actually updating their tweets like this:

"On the toilet bout to release myself".

I was like, no bueno. But a funny thing happened...Facebook became totally boring. Besides my beloved Cafe World, of course, I had/have no other reason to be on it. And me being a internet junkie, there is only so much fashion blogs and entertainment blogs and sport blogs/sport boards one can read. So I needed another social medium. MySpace was TOTALLY outta the question. I believe MySpace is only used for music and considering a career in porn. The only other popular social site was Twitter. *le sigh* So, I had to start off slowly. I lurked. And lurked. I was intrigued. Then I set up an account and became private. Started following the celebs first. Then friends started entering the picture. Then made some Twitter friends. And voila, here I am as a Twitter fan. So in fact, pigs are now steadily flying outside my window.


But I'm not on here to talk bout my facsination with Twitter (really though, follow me: @LavenduhChic). I came here cause I was inspired. By who? By what? By my random journal entries. Don't give me that face, people! Right now, I took a break from cleaning & arranging my room because I saw some entries that, quite honestly, scared the fuck outta me. I'm like, "Dag, I actually wrote this?!" I swear, sometimes I think I'm all deep and ish. Too funny.


Here are a couple that gave me a mixture of *side eye* + :o) + :o/ + WTF:


                  "Boredom is a funny thing. It's like you hate it but then again you embrace it.
                  No one wants to be bored but there are some advantages. You get
                  to be at peace with yourself. Get some shit done. Be content. It's actually
                  one step closer to enjoying that one particular company: yourself. Boredom:
                  a small blessing in disguise."




                  "The rain drops in rhythm.
                  The rain drops in beat.
                  With what?
                  The heart?
                  The music?
                  It drops because it is releasing it's thoughts."


Wrote those two enteries a couple years ago. I don't remember writing them. But then again, who actually remembers writing in their journal enteries? The only thing that helps is you documenting the date and maybe the time.


I miss writing. Expressing my thoughts through a pen, pencil or fingertips. Oh and I'm the dummy of the century. I threw away all my journals last year cause of complete frustration. What in the paper and pen hell was I thinking?!! *slaps forehead* Also, during my stint in Nigeria, I had journals. And guess where those are?


*blank stare*


I suck.


I'm out like my love for hoarding magazines. It's time to let go. Even though I'm keeping anything related to BSB, "Lost", Carmelo Anthony and music lists. :oD


                 

Insane in the Membrane (Insane in the Brain) - Cypress Hill

I thought Old Spice had it in the bag with the "I'm on a horse" commercial. Epic, right? Sure. But these commercials are even epic-er. Yes, I made up that word. But it is so worth it. Terry Crews FTW (For The Win)!!!

It's A Brand New Me. A Brand New You. A Brand New Day. The Sky's So Blue - LL Cool J

LL Cool J. Such a wack safe lyricist, no? Hopefully, he'll just stick to acting. Which he isn't really that good at, either. A lose-lose situation for him.

I've been such a drab in this blogsville world. Not posting as much. Not reading as much blogs. And no, it's not due to my incessant viewing of segments of content broadcast on a telecommunication medium. Ha! Don't look at me like that. My life doesn't revolve around TV shows, young world! *snickers* Who am I kidding? It so does.

I do agree with one lyric from that wack safe lyricist above: the sky IS so blue. It has been a beautiful, beautiful 2 weeks that the DC area has experienced (save for the rainy 2 days). Of course, people around here mistake 2 weeks of beautiful weather with it being summer altogether. Yep, we've officially skipped Spring and now heading to the good ol' season of Summer. What? You would be thinking the same thing when all around you females are rockin' booty shorts and guys are wearing wifebeaters and flip flops. Also, the sun is shining so brilliantly down on you. And not a speck of clouds in the sky. *le sigh* But alas, all good things must come to an abrupt end. Spring is officially back. So it'll be wearing a jacket/blazer over the booty shorts and wife beaters. And don't forget the flip flops! *smdh* And people wonder why they get sick.

School is school. And that's all I have to say about that.

I'm trying my darnest to stop using the "eff", "ish", "darn", "mofo" and "beyotch" words. Actually, that should have been my Lent task: 40 days & 40 nights of no cursing. But Lent is almost over. Fail on my part. I can try again, though, right? Right! But when I say that'll be a struggle for me, that will be a struggle for me.

I really need a hobby in my life! There's only oh so much TV one can watch, right? ;o) (Also, why is it such a bad thing to watch too much TV and not too much movies? Inquiring minds would love to know...and by "minds", I mean just myself). There's only oh so much books one can read. There's only oh so much music one can dance and sing-a-long to. A family friend suggested salsa dancing. Hmmm...not bad, not bad. Dancing is cool. I like to dance. Win! Only, I was thinking more of something...creative. Like sewing! I love fashion. I admire anybody that can create a DIY clothing item. I have always wanted to whip up an outfit that I created with my blood, my sweat and my tears. I think I'm talented enough for it. So, let me start with the basic: sewing. I think I'll give that a try. That and salsa dancing.

Exercise has been going. Really challenged myself for the month of March to go to the gym @ least 4 times a week. I'm now in the 4th week, and I must say, I've been doing a pretty fantastic job. *pat on the back*. Now, for April, I will challenge myself to change my eating habits. For good. Or just that month. Depending on my mood. I kid...or not. But if I'm exercising, eating right is the next step. It goes hand in hand. Duh. (Who still uses "duh"? *points to the person typing this post*)

People want me to be on Twitter. I'm trying to leave Facebook. Now why am I gonna jump on another social network when I'm trying to leave the most addictive one there is?

"American Idol" completely sucks this season. I mean, this is bad, real bad: Michael Jackson. Majority of them are not up to par. We have one that has a superb voice but just REEKS of cheesiness. We got another one rockin' some light hazel contacts one day and some blue contacts the next. I. KID. YOU. NOT. Why am I invested in this show, again? I guess cause I just like the concept of "American Idol". A competition that helps one nobody become a somebody. But this year of nobodies will probably stay as a nobody. Yeah. It makes me miss Season 5 even more. The year that brought us (ME!) Elliott Yamin. *le sigh* I mean, the whole Top 12 was good (that was also the year of Chris "Daughtry" Daughtry and Kellie Pickler and Katherine McPhee and Paris Bennett, etc.) But Elliott had this special quality to me. He was a true nobody (worked in a pharmacy) battling with diabetes and did not have good looks working in his favor. What helped him out week after week after week until he was eliminated during Top 3 was his charm and of course, his voice. Homie can SANG! My favorite performances from him:

(performance starts @ 2:20)

(performance starts @ 1:36)

(performance starts @ 0:55)

Wow. I wasn't expecting this to be long. Just a whole rack of rambling. This was honestly gonna be a semi-apology for not posting as much. But then, if anyone actually follows this blog (and I'm guessing that's nobody), I don't usually post frequently. That's just me. No reason for it. It just happens. So really, I don't owe you guys any apology.

I'm sorry for not posting regularly. I suck. No, I don't. But you get my drift.

Ms. Royal Reigns...OUT!

Sidenote: I really enjoy finding blogs. Or hearing about blogs. Or just stumbling onto blogs. Like this. She updates frequently, spotlighting a Nigerian and his/her own talent in the world of art. Any kind of art. Due to one of her recent posts, I am about to purchase a couple of paintings from an artist she showcased. (Helps that it's affordable!!!). Hey, even if you're not Nigerian, it's still a cool blog to follow. It never hurts to know a little bit about another culture, no?

Ms. Royal Reigns...really OUT!