Check out my new body scrub line!

So after years of creating my personal body scrubs I created a formula that works well for me that I wanted to share with others. For the benefits and quality it's very affordable and will give you the skin you've always wanted. Check out the site. I'm in the process of making some changes but the product speaks for itself!!! http://rootedhands.bigcartel.com/

My first video shoot!

So during the weekend of 12/3 I had the privilege of working with some amazing people at an RnB video shoot. I played the love interest of an artist by the name of Lydell, who is an up and coming RnB/neo-soul artist from Little Rock now based in Richmond, VA. We were shooting the video for a song called "Heartbeat" which has a really chill vibe that practically put everyone in the "mood"that was at the shoot. With the song on repeat you couldn't help but to sing and feel it. The video was directed and shot by the one and only extremely talented and handsome Monseé, CEO of The Media Den/Monseé Studios. Monseé has worked with many talented people from local hip hop artists in the DMV area to mainstream artists like Beanie Sigel, Travis Barker, and Bun B (from one of my all time favorite duos UGK). With that being said, I knew the video was going to be hot! With this being my first music video and playing a supporting lead I was very nervous and wasn't sure if I could pull it off. Never before have I acted except saying a few lines in a 5th grade play lol!  But with the professionalism and patience of both the artist and especially the director, I found comfort and assurance in what I was doing. I can't forget to mention that, Lemetra, one of my best friends of over 20 years was there supporting me through it all and trying to end our friendship fast by suggesting certain things to do on camera lol! It was all in love though. So if you can check out Lydell's music @ http://www.facebook.com/Lydell-Williams-Fan-Page and also stop by and checkout Monseé's (the Visual Bully) work at youtube.com/monseestudios, you'll be glad you did! peace...

So, if I had a famous sister who would it be???

So over that past ten years (since Love and Basketball hit theatres) I constantly hear I look like Sanaa Lathan. I think she is very beautiful and I am always flattered when I hear it but I really don't see it!!! Even looking at this side by side comparison, I still don't see it. Maybe I'm crazy, well maybe just a little lol. 

I've also gotten that I looked like Tamyra Grey from American Idol. This I still don't see but then again maybe something is wrong with me. So about 8 or 9 years ago I was doing a photoshoot at a hotel and these kids came up to me and said "Are you Tamyra Grey?" I was shocked to say the least. But it was cool to feel like a celebrity for .2 seconds :)

Ok, so this is one of the comparisons I get the least but still get often enough. Again another very beautiful black woman but I don't see a resemblance. It is very nice to know that I can look like so many people though. Especially successful, intelligent, beautiful black women.

What Do You Think????

OOTD/outfit.of.the.day

Finally summer decides to get here and stay for the season :) Ok my narcissism was on 10 today. Nothing like feelin' good in your threads! I wish I could say I felt this everyday but truth be told everyone has those days when they may not feel so hot. I like to keep my style pretty simple but cute. So check it, I have on a ruffled floral print skirt (red,white and yellow flowers) with a solid heather grey tank (tanks are my fav for the summer btw) and I figured I would add a layer with my brown vest. I felt like accessorizing with my multiple chain necklace from Bakers Shoes last year and simple gold ball earrings to match. Went with comfy flats with gold embellishments. I loved it, hope you do too.

Fake it Til You Bake it

Ok I wasn't sure if I should give away my secret. I might be exposing too much lol. But I trust you won't tell anyone haha. So with summer coming I'm exposing more skin. I put a pair of shorts on a couple of weeks ago and was looking at my legs and arms like "woooooow, why am I looking so yellow?!" Leave it up to me I'm going to find a solution no matter how extreme it may seem. Well this of course isn't on the extreme side for most. Ok back on track I needed something fairly quick before I was exposing my legs on a regular basis. I decided to try Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer. Love Love Love this product. It's been about 10 days that I've been using it daily and it is great!!!! It's a nice gradual tan that doesn't leave me looking super orange. Now I know I'm a black girl but as you may know we come in all shades and there is nothing wrong with wanting a more even tone. Well if you're like me and can't get in the sun as often as you like try this product. P.S. I recommend exfoliating prior to using for a smoother look :) And don't forget your sunscreen!!!

Hip Hop Heads

For all my music lovers who are open to that feel good hiphop music please check this out. A friend of mine put me on to a new artist by the name of Lano from Baltimore, MD. Yeah Lano! He just dropped his mixtape on June 12th and the kid is Dope with a captial D!!! Corny am I, Yes! lol But no question, Lano's mixtape is fresh. Young, tatted and sexy with charisma on 1000. Don't worry girls he's got something for the ladies too. One of my favs being "One Word". Not only does he rap but has a decent singing voice to go with it. An artist who can infuse sexiness with that street sound gets a 10 from me. Listening to his music you can definitely tell he has an appreciation for all types of music. First track has a sample from Sade's "War of the Hearts" also a sample from The Moments "Not on the Outside" from 1968. Now maybe I'm being bias because Sade is the greatest artist ever!!! (my blog my opinion lol), needless to say he pulled me in. He's got a fresh sound with just enough cockiness that doesn't turn you off. This mixtape shows many facets to his personality. You can feel the flow is genuine with every bar. As soon as I heard his music I was pulled in to learn more about him. Do yourself a favor, check him out too and support@ www.yeahlano.blogspot.com....Enjoy and always stay CREATIVE!!!!!

OOTD/outfit.of.the.day

Hey, here is my fit for today. It's a whopping 76 degrees here in Jersey so I'm feeling like some good ol' layering. I can't wait for the weather to make up its mind. I just have some basic straight legged jeans that I cuffed up twice with a novelty tank and a button down 3/4 length sleeve shirt. Very comfy. Didn't go crazy with jewelry. Kept it simple with cubic z studs. In the pic I'm not wearing shoes b/c I'm chillin in the house BUT to complete the outfit I'm going to wear these cute burgundy Converse sneaks. Now, to give it a more grown and sexy appeal but with comfort I'll put on my tan wedges, hope you like. And always wear what YOU like!!!

I loooove my Ziti...hopefully you will too :)

Hey there! So I wanted to share with you one of my many favs!!!! I love ziti probably more than the next person. The cheesy saucy goodness is just making my mouth water as I type these words. Hopefully I'll get through completing this post in one sitting without making myself too hungry. Well I'm about to give you my step by step instructions on how I make this wonderfully easy meal. And of course as with anything you can improvise...so here goes

Ingredients:

1 box Ziti Noodles

1 lb. ground turkey

1/4 c. green pepper

1/4 c. red onion

1 tbsp garlic

2 c ricotta cheese

3 c shredded mozzarella cheese (set aside 1 c for top layer)

1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce

13x9 deep dish baking ban

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Of course you have to start off by cooking your noodles...i like to let the water boil first and add bit of salt pepper garlic powder and extra virgin olive oil to give it a little taste...cook until soft and drain then set aside...

2. on low to medium heat add 1-2 table spoons of olive oil and saute green pepper, red onion (or your onion of choice) and garlic, *if you aren't experienced cooking garlic please know it burns easily so add the garlic once the peppers and onions are slightly soft...

3. Next you want to add your ground meat. Here I've used turkey because I don't eat beef or pork but use what you like, use all three if you want. Cook all the way through and set aside...

4. Once the noodles and meat have cooled make a few layers of noodles, shredded cheese, meat and a couple of spoons full of ricotta. I like to make about 3 layers adding about 4-5 spoons of ricotta to each layer. Continue layering until noodles and cheese are in baking dish...

5. Add the sauce over the noodles, i like to take a spoon and just make a few holes so the sauce will get in between the noodles and top the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese...

6. Bake for about 30-40 minutes with foil on top. Later remove foil and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top...

7. The most IMPORTANT step of all is.....ENJOY :) and make sure you SHARE!!!

Gaze - Sweetback

Just some night time tunes. SweetBack's self-titled album from 1996 is one of the greatest albums EVER...If you don't have this you must be living under a rock GO GET IT!!! A definite must have if you're a music lover :)...P.S. We can't even be friends if you don't get down with Sade...

Love Language

I absolutely loved this video...if you've never seen it just press play:)