• jack,  jack pics

    Grumpy Puppy

    What’s Jack up to? Poor Jack is not happy. After a visit to the vet he’s been put on a restrictive diet in order to see if he has any food allergies to take care of his runny eyes. So on top of shots and giving blood Jack can’t even eat or have the treats he wants. So far it’s not working out too well. Last night I was left with a full bowl of food. I’m hoping being really hungry today will help the food taste better to him. I’ll keep you all updated on a grumpy Jack’s progress.

    No worries, Jack I’ll try and diet a bit right along with ya. As I’m elbow deep in edits I’ll try and cut down on the light and sweet iced coffee at least a bit. A girl needs the proper fuel to work.

    I hope you all had a good weekend and have a Sunny Monday.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • jack,  my view,  writers,  writing life

    Bad Writing

    Happy Friday!

    What’s Jack up to? As I write this (late Thursday night) the Jackster is right under me up under my bed snoring lightly. Poor thing, he’s worked so hard. Trying to sneak into the trash multiple times, but I was up on my game and thwarted him each time. I’m sure today he’ll come for me with extra strength. I’ll be ready. I hope.

    What is bad writing?

    I find it hard to define, but it’s something you know when you read it. Now being in a book club the subject of bad writing has become an interesting and lively debate.

    For me it’s writing that doesn’t flow or hold my attention. It’s definitely writing that I have to go back and read a few times in order to understand or writing that doesn’t ring true and I don’t mean in a fantasy way I mean in an authentic way.

    I’m very interested in this documentary Bad Writing with George Saunders and David Sedaris.

    So how would you describe Bad Writing? This post maybe? Ouch!

    Have a great day.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • Real Housewives of Atl,  Reality tv

    A Hot Mess!

    I’m deep in editing mode right now and this project is taking me way longer than I thought and had hoped. I really hope it’s not for nothing but I keep holding onto the words that author, Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick told me at Nationals last year, “No writing is wasted writing.”

    The story is improving. So that means I am improving.
    Where that will lead, I don’t know. As an artist and being close to my work it’s hard to tell exactly where I am on the craft scale compared to other writers. Now I know some may say you shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else, but that’s not true. You have to know what’s out there and ultimately sell your story against what else is out there. I guess in the end all I can do is be true to myself and the story and do my best which is what I do with each book I write.

    Now on the the hot messery…So tonight The Real Housewives of Atlanta are back tonight. I’ll be watching. I can’t want to see all the crazy antics. Check out the trailer. Big Poppa is still on he scene. SHE by Sheree has some competition and NeNe is still NeNe. Yay! Will you be watching with me?

    Best,
    Kwana

  • movies,  Reality tv

    2012

    What’s Jack up to? Jack’s been enjoying peaceful warm days and wild evening with the dear twins. They give him no rest and he gives them none either. So with that I get none. The nights are …fun?

    Not a big one for conspiracy theories, well, maybe a bit but not the scary ones I’m still still crazy drawn to this movie. It’s got John Cusack. Win there and it’s directed by Roland Emmerich director of Independence Day another win. I saw this trailer during Harry Potter with the Dear Twins and can’t get it out of my head. It’s wild.

    Don’t know where I’ll be in 2012, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be in the IMAX come November.

    What movies are you looking forward to?

    Oh and it’s Real Hot Mess of ATL Countdown time. Are you ready for tomorrow?

    Best,
    Kwana

  • fashion,  my view

    Style Maven

    I’m going back to my Anthro excursion for today’s post and another book that that I found while there. I mean you can’t help but love that store. You can find a top, skirt, candles, china and fun reading. Genius.

    But back to the book, well, books actually. The Little Black Book of Style and One Hundred: A Guide to The Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia our favorite tough no love judge from Project Runway and former fashion editor for Elle magazine.

    Oh Nina How I miss you! I love how Nina makes the title for One Hundred so forceful using the word ‘must’. Go Nina.

    The books are beautiful with illustrations by famed illustrator Ruben Toledo, husband of designer Isabelle Toledo.

    Here is the blurb from Little Black Book of Style:

    Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice—the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion.

    And here is the blurb from The One Hundred:
    In the wildly popular The Little Black Book of Style, fashion authority Nina Garcia showed women how to think about personal style in an entirely new way. Encouraging readers to creatively assert their style identities, Nina showed women of all ages how to hone and self-edit a distinct fashion voice.
    With her style philosophy firmly out in the world, Nina decided to address the most popular question readers consistently ask her: Exactly what are fashion’s timeless pieces?
    The One Hundred answers this question and provides women with a tangible style map to follow when planning a shopping trip and stocking one’s closet. With illustrations from world-renowned fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo, The One Hundred contains the 100 items that Nina believes will never go out of style, and that have become absolutely indispensable for any woman reaching for her own eternal fashion look.

    What are some of your Wardrobe Must Haves? I’ll start: A great pair of jeans, perfect tees, good tailored shirt, classic black pants, ballet flats and LBD (I’m still working on finding the perfect one)

    Best,
    Kwana
  • inspiration,  my view,  stars

    WWAD-What Would Audrey Do?

    What’s Jack up to? Jack’s had a fun filled weekend. A little BBQ and with extra treats thrown in. Also plenty of wildness with the dear twins so now he’s ready for some naps and quiet time on this Monday. A little Jack chill time is in order. At least for a bit.

    While in Anthro world last week I came across a couple of delightful books that I really want for my go to library and one of them was this little gem: How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life. Hence the title of today’s post WWAD (What Would Audrey Do?)

    I’m a huge Audrey fan. Always and admirer of her style and grace. Funny Face is one of my all time favorite movies along with My Fair Lady. I even have a My Fair Lady Barbie done of in that dress from the races. Just to die for and we won’t get into the emotion from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Cat!”

    They just don’t make stars like that anymore.

    Here’s the synopsis from How to Be Lovely:
    On many occasions, she was approached to pen her autobiography, the definitive book of Audrey Hepburn, yet she never agreed. A beloved icon who found success as an actress, a mother and an humanitarian, Audrey Hepburn perfected the art of gracious living.
    More philosophy than biography, How to Be Lovely revisits the many interviews Audrey gave over the years, allowing us to hear her voice directly on universal topics of concern to women the world over: careers, love lives, motherhood and relationships. Enhanced by rarely seen photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the friends who knew her well, How to Be Lovely uncovers the real Audrey, in her own words.
    While she would have been the last to say so, Audrey Hepburn was an expert in the art of being a woman. How to Be Lovely imparts whatever wisdom and insight she found along the way to the millions who grew up, or will grow up, wanting to be just like her.

    Published to coincide with Audrey Hepburn’s would-be seventy-fifth birthday, How to Be Lovely offers a rare glimpse into the woman behind the mystique and the definitive guide to living genuinely with glamour and grace.

    Who are some of your favorite stars from the past?

    Have a happy Monday!

    Best,
    Kwana
  • funnies,  my view,  politics,  The Daily Show,  videos

    What Looks Like Crazy

    Thanks to Pearl Cleage for the title of my post today. If you’ve never read her book What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, it’s been many years since I’ve read it, but I highly recommend it.

    Happy Friday. I hope you made it through the week without too many scars and lots of smiles. I’m sure there was some crazy thrown in. All you had to do was turn on the tv or maybe walk out your door and not be too careful but in that I may be bordering on the cynical. So to put a funny spin on it I’ll leave it to Jon Stewart.

    The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
    The Born Identity
    http://www.thedailyshow.com/
    Daily Show
    Full Episodes
    Political Humor Joke of the Day

    Have a happy!

    Best,
    Kwana

  • fashion,  lifestyle,  my view

    Living the Anthro Life

    The other day I was in the city and found myself in front of Anthropologie on 5th ave. Of course I had to go in. Once you get anywhere near the air of Anthro and get a whiff of the scented candles that just so happen to linger out to you, well, you’re pulled in.

    And once you’re in- you’re in. The Anthro world is so lovely and seductive. There is something about those slightly diffused inky colors that make it so hard to step back into the harsh light of day. It makes me say I want to live and Anthro life. How about you?

    Best,
    Kwana