STRESS!!!!!!!

Hi guys, I have been a very very bad blogger. I have promised not to stay away too long but I seem to stay away for long bouts quite a bit these days. My life seems not to be mine anymore. I do 4 things; work, wedding plan, sleep and just recently workout. I honestly have time for very little else. I was so happy that the week flew by because I promised myself that I would do 2 things Friday night; sleep and write a new post.

I know it's only 7ish but I am already in bed. I am not sure I am handling my new stressful life very well. I usually go to the spa or shop when I want to mellow out, but I have little time (or money for that matter) for that these days.

My question to you guys is: How do you handle stress? What do you do to de-stress?

~Stressed Orchid~

THINKING ABOUT PROPOSING?

I came across this on Etsy a while ago and immediately thought it would be a great way for a guy who is thinking of popping the question to propose. How surprised would your queen be if she walks into a room (public or private) and sees this decal?

What you guys think?

~Black Orchid~

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all that JAZZ!!!

Hi folks, I have been gone for so long its shameless. I've been so busy with work, wedding planning, travels and finally getting back into the gym. Needless to say my life is a complete mess right now. I don't seem to have time to do anything right. I have been ordering in, sending laundry out and getting very little sleep due to my current CRAZY schedule.

There is no way to catch you all up on the current happenings of my life without making this a very long post, so here is a brief recap.

Christmas

I spent the Christmas in Trinidad (of course, it seems as though I live there these days). I a lots drank none and had a wonderful time. The day after Christmas my brother sent me pics of the aftermath of the blizzard in NYC and I sent him back the picture below. It was what my mother, sister and I were looking at when I got his text.

New Years

For new years Andy (my fiance) and I headed over to Tobago for some R and R. It's the beautiful yet small sister island to Trinidad. I don't think I have slept that much in quite sometime. On New Year's eve we got to have one of our 3 engagement shoots. Here is a taste of the beautiful pics we got.

Hitting the ground running......

I got back on the 2nd of January and I have not stopped since. It has been work, home, wedding and very little time to myself. I am exhausted but looking forward to the future.

I hope the new year brings you all everything you need. Until tomorrow stay warm and safe.

~Black Orchid~

BRIANNA MCCARTHY THE ARTIST

I came across this artist last night and fell in love with her work. I know it's silly but I felt a connection with her automatically. I know it's because her work is so beautiful but I think that us having the same last name and being from the same homeland might have played in it also. Whatever the reason I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work. Here are a few samples of her work an the link to her blog. I hope you love her work also.

~Black Orchid~

CRASH DIET

I need to lose some lbs for December so I did some research an found this great article. Nothing new but still good to read. Take look. Article

Enjoy your weekend!

~Black Orchid~

UMMMM UMMM GOOD!

I've been searching for suits for the guys and I came across this pic. I know every woman can agree, there's just something about a man in a suit. Well not just any suit, a well made tailored suit. When I saw this pic I knew that this was the look I wanted for the guys. How sexy/amazing/refined do these men look in their suits? I love it! What do you think?

~Black Orchid~

WHAT A BEAUTY!!!

So the wedding planning has officially began. While "casually" looking for wedding shoes I came across these bad boys. How amazing are these shoes? These are so unexpected. A combination of elegant and punk rock. Would I wear them on my wedding day though?......Ummm maybe. However, I definitely won't be wearing them because the price tag on these babies is $3545 and it's wait listed until June (not that that matters).

Would you wear these on your wedding day?

~Black Orchid~

I'M SUCH A FAILURE!

This summer my boyfriend's mom made me the best fudge I have ever had in my life. So when it was my turn to bake something for work I decided to try and replicate her creation. I got the recipe and began the process. Ten minutes into it I felt like something was wrong so I called her to make sure I was on the right track. She laughed a little then told me that I was doing fine but I needed to keep stirring for about 30 more minutes. 30 minutes!....no way. My arms were so tired that I just stopped. I mean it looked very similar to the what she made all it needed to do was firm up a bit. Only it never did! It looked like, well, diarrhea.

When my mom came home she tried to salvage my poor attempt at making fudge but she over did it and by the time we were done the "fudge" was so hard it sounded like rock candy......and the color....I don't even know where it came from. The sad thing is I just knew I would be great at making fudge. Clearly I was wrong.....lol. I will attempt again, but no time soon.

Take a look at my sad attempt at making fudge

I started out great

But then a turn for the worse. My mom placed foil on it to smooth it out.... bad idea....it got stuck...lol

And this is what we ended up with. A far cry from what it should look like. The funny thing is it still tasted okay....lol

~Black Orchid~

A GIRL AND HER SHOES

So as you all know I'm a teacher. This means I stand on my feet all day. ALL DAY!!! I have been on the hunt for cute comfortable work shoes that will not hurt my feet at the end of the day. Today after working 8 hours 6 of which were spent standing I headed for another 2 hour meeting. I arrived at my meeting 30 minutes early so I decided to take a stroll over to 5th Ave. To my surprise Cole Haan was right on the corner. After trying on several pairs I fell in love with a pair at 1st sight. The only problem is that they weren't a part of their Nike Air collection. The sales associate then showed me their most comfortable shoe the company makes and after trying them on it was true, they were uber comfy. I mean I felt like I was walking on clouds. The problem is that they looked like teacher shoes. I was now in a pickle. Do I get the shoe that's perfect for teaching but kinda look ugly old lady shoes or do I get the chic 5hr shoe. I couldn't choose so I got both.

I am totally in Love with my new pair of oxfords

How ugly are these

Which would you have picked?

~Black Orchid~

10 YEARS FROM NOW

Have you ever looked at a picture from years ago and asked yourself "What the hell was I wearing?" I have looked at wayyyy too many of those pics. I remember wearing a red, white and blue striped Tommy Hilfiger bubble coat with baggy guess jeans and lace-up chunky wooden heels. At the time I thought I looked soooo flyy. You couldn't tell me otherwise. This got me to thinking about fads that are in (and we love) now and how we will feel about them in 10 years. So here is the question: What fads that we love now do you think we will look back on in 10 years and hate?

My answer: I love love love the "Strong Shoulders" look but I think in 10 years we will be saying "really what were we thinking?"

Let me know your answers.

~Black Orchid~

THE VMAs SUCKED!!!!

I don't really watch awards shows but I took a look whenever there was a commercial on the Hallmark Channel. I feel like everyone had on the same thing. I was not moved at all. take a look at the following and tell me what you notice.

Yeah leather was all over the place and more than I would think is normal. I guess if you don't have your leather getup for Fall you may want to go out and get a piece. Don't give me wrong I like leather but it was overkill last night. Maybe I missed the good stuff while watching "Fairfield Road".

I guess also it's only the VMAs and not the Grammys so I shouldn't expect much. One last thing Lady Gaga might be a nut but she goes for whatever look she is trying to achieve....I usually never get her look though.

Wait one more thing, my girl crush Ciara looked cute. I'm not sure what she was wearing (that girl can't dress to save her life but thats another post) nevertheless she looked cute in it......lol

Later Loves

~Black Orchid~

I'M BACK AND READY TO WORK

That statement (back and ready to work) couldn't be more true. I am back from a well needed vacation and ready to work. Work on this blog that I have been neglecting and work at my day job. I changed schools this year so I will be putting in major time to get things the way I want them to be. I'm ready for the change. Here is a rundown of what's been going on since my last post.

1. I left for Trinidad

2. I fell in love all over again

3. I ate wayyy too much and gained 8lbs in a month

4. I spent wayyyy too much money

5. I got depressed about spending all that money

6. I realized that I need to go back on my spending freeze

7. Returned home

8. Started working at new school and already overworked (the life of a teacher)

So now that I am back I hope to be more diligent about my postings and not leave you guys hanging for so long, vacation or no vacation.

See you all soon

~Black Orchid~

OUT AND ABOUT

Hey people just letting you know I'll be MIA for a little bit. I'm out the country for a while......

~Black Orchid~

LET'S PARTY WITH THE PREZ (well not really)

Check it out!

-Black Orchid- President Obama turns 49 next week, and OFA supporters across the country are sharing in the fun. Volunteers on the ground are holding birthday parties -- and we'll be recruiting new volunteers for this grassroots movement that has helped President Obama so much. Want to come? Here's what we're doing in Brooklyn: What: President's birthday event Where: 65 Ralph Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11221 When: Wednesday, August 4th 6:30 pm Can you make it? Yes, count me in. No, but I'd like to sign a birthday card for the President. No, but I want to see if there are other events near me. No experience is necessary, and talking to potential volunteers is a fun way to spend some time. RSVP for the President's birthday event in Brooklyn: http://my.barackobama.com/BirthdayEvents Thanks, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America

~Black Orchid~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR PRESIDENT

A friend sent me a link that I think is so cute so I'm sharing it with you all. A few of you may have seen it most probably haven't. It's basically a virtual birthday card for the President. How cute is that! He turns 49 on August 4th which makes him a Leo and Leos are such great people......minus one that I know......just kidding..... but here is the link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/barackbirthday?source=sitefeature

Speak to you all soon.....promise

~Black Orchid~

WHAT I WANT NOW!!!!!!!!!

Though the spending freeze is over I am trying to not go crazy....but its so difficult! Here is something I want now. Not now but right now!

I have been lusting over these shoes for about a month. I think I am going to eventually break down and get them. I mean it has leather, suede, platform and studs...... everything and I love them all.

What do you think?

~Black Orchid~

A SESSION WITH MY THERAPIST

This morning while riding the train I thought about how lately I've been all over the place emotionally. I'm usually a mess, however for some reason its been really bad these past few weeks. I think a majority of it has to do with work and me just needing a break from it all. Anyway, whenever I get in one of my moods I turn to my trusty ipod. I immediately feel better after a session with my ipod and this time around Monica's my therapist. I have been bumping her cd nonstop for 2 weeks straight and if you know me you know I can kill a song. Thankfully I'm not tired of her yet. My favorites are Superman (awwwww...lol), Love All Over Me, One in a Lifetime and Everything To Me (of course). This album is so me and if you're not inlove it makes you want to be.

So what songs are you loving right now?

~Black Orchid~

THE OPRAH SHOW

Today I was watching the Oprah Show and the following quote was spoken "We shop to fill a void. We shop to bridge the gap between the person we are and the person we want to be." This may or may not be true, however it got me thinking. When I shop who am I trying to be? The words that automatically come to mind are, chic, elegant, classic and feminine all of this coming together to create "the baddest bitch".......lol. So my question to you all is: When you shop what key words come to mind and who are you trying to be? Now if your answer is "I shop for myself" dig deeper, because we are bombarded with influences and nothing we do is original, no matter how much we woulds like to believe it is.

~Black Orchid~

I'M MISSING HIM

Most of you will remember me posting news of the fashion genius Alexander McQueen's death. Not only was the news sad but the thought of not having his inspiration and influence in the fashion industry was depressing. For those of us missing him here is a little something that confirms his genius. Before he passed he worked with singer Monica on the wardrobe for her new viddy. I love everything she is wearing. It's totally me.... Oh I also love the song.

Do enjoy

~Black Orchid~

NO APRIL FOOLS, JUST NASTY

Yesterday as I was window shopping with the girls I received an email from a friend about popular retailers who were selling used underware.... Yes thats right USED! Forget unsanitary that's just plain gross. Look around, can you imagine wearing that girl/guy's underware? I'm sure not. If you have never washed items before wearing I am sure this will prompt you to in the future.

Take a look at the viddy for further evidence.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

~Black Orchid~