Happy Wife, Happy Life

My new book is now available on Kindle, iBooks for iPads and iPhones, Kobo, Nook, Sony Reader and Diesel.  The paperback version is available at Www.HappyWifeBook.Com and Amazon.com.  If you are in the Marina Del Rey area you can find it at Petals and Wax, a gifting boutique store.  Also it will be available in Barnes and Noble stores world wide.  Thanks so much for your support.  It is already doing very well digitally :)

Sundance Film Festival 2011

So I was able to go to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for the first time this year! It was an awesome experience. My crew rented a house that slept 8 people. It was so cozy and cute. We saw a few films and went to a few parties to network. I ran into some friends I hadn't seen in a while that are still doing their thing in the business. It was an amazing time! Here are a few photos from the festival and a video of me getting some private ski lessons at one of the best ski resorts in the world, Deer Valley Ski Resort. Overall it was one of the best times I have ever had in my life :)

Me with a Sundance regular!

At the Swagg gifting suite :)

New Oscar Nominee -- Nick Quested

Hair stylist to the stars and dear friend of mine! Larry Sims!

Jaqueline Fleming had a film screening there! Go girl!

R.I.P. Teena Marie

Two of my all time favorite Teena Marie songs...  So sad. She will be missed.

Fancy

So I am in preproduction on a new show we are producing independently.  I can't talk about the project yet. Sorry.  Here are the first two hair/makeup stylist pics.  I think we may have found the one but we have a couple more people to see...

Restore Sanity Rally 2010

So I had the pleasure of experiencing Washington D.C. for the first time last weekend.  I never had any desire to go until the inauguration, which I wasn't able to attend.  After that, It really wasn't on my to do list until recently for work.  We needed some "Sanity Rally" footage for a show we're working on.  Turns out, I LOVE DC! I've always loved history and the mystery behind it all.  I knew there was some in DC but the whole city looked European.  Like a city in France.  Paris maybe.  Rich in culture.  Every building had a story to tell and it's own charm unlike most places in the U.S.  It was refreshing to see a city not so plastic with buildings built in 30 days.  These magnificent brick and stone buildings and mesmerizing statues took years to build.  I truly believe in a past life, I was around during those times because I absolutely love that era in which they were built.  My favorite movies are period pieces.

I didn't really take pics of buildings or sculptures, mainly just rally stuff.  Had a chance to check out Ben's for the chilli burgers and YES they live up to all the hype.  Actor Lance Gross was there having a bite.  I guess a lot of people were there for Howard's Homecoming.  I was invited out to a few cool parties but I declined.  

The Restore Sanity rally was AMAZING.  Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert put on a great show for an awesome cause.  Ann, Lisa and I had a blast! I'd say about 500,000 people showed up.  Just a bunch of like-minded, beautiful individuals.  The signs were incredible.  It felt great to be a part of something so positive.  My first of many more political expressions.  We were able to get some nice footage for our show as well.  

Obama's Favorite Burger Joint

Me and my good friend and business partner Ann Flagella in front of the White House....
Check out the video below:  Here I am fooling around the night before the rally.  They gave me a wig and asked me to act like a "stoner".  Enjoy :) Also don't forget to get out and VOTE TODAY!!!!

Yesterday At The Beach...

While frolicking in the ocean, I got attacked by a killer wave lol I'm so happy SUMMER has finally decided to join us in Cali :)

Photo By Jason Wallace

Also here's a video of me and my girl Suzanne... from a few days ago at Temescal Canyon, my favorite hiking spot. My first real exercise since the whole toe issue.

Me

I was going to do a photo shoot for this effect for my apartment.  Then I found this website called PhotoFunia and I realized I can just use some of the amazing shots I have already.  I will do another shoot still but at my leisure.  How dope is this? I can't wait to get these blown up in real life :)

2010 ESPY Awards

So it was quite an eventful couple days for the Espy's.  I went to the Playboy Mansion for the annual pre-Espy Awards Bash with my girls Lake Payne, Dayana Fralin, DeAndra Avery, Suzanne Mari and Neferteri Shepherd.  It was AMAZING with great food, open bar and a high energy performance from LMFAO. Jamie Foxx jumped on stage and was on the mic getting the party hyped! Kim Kardashian was there with her new beau.  My favorite part of the night was talking to Joaquin Phoenix and his wife for a half an hour before realizing it was him! lol! Classic moment.  They were mad cool. It was a star studded event.  I managed to get only a few photos.  I was too busy networking, trying to raise money for a project I'm producing.

The day of the award show I was invited to go but I opted not to.  I"m not a sports fan enough to sit through hours of acknowledging people I don't know.  I decided to go to the after party instead, which was at Club Nokia and Congo room.  They are right next door to each other so it was a back and forth type of night.  The food was phenomenal!!! Omg.  The ESPY's do not spare an expense at all! Nothing like the BET awards at all.  Open bar too.  I didn't drink that night though.  (I am fasting from drinking for a month). There was LIVE performances by Lil Kim, Flo-Rida, Gucci Mane and Robin Thicke.  I only got to see Robin Thicke and Flo-Rida though.  I'm pissed I missed lil Kim! But oh well.  I recorded this lil video below....  

 

 Ran into Hill Harper!  Super positive brother :)

4TH OF JULY

I love this picture. It almost looks like a postcard! This is me doing me in Vegas at the Bellagio. The day before, I mindlessly snubbed my pinkie toe on my brand new sectional couch. I guess I'm not used to it being there yet. It's kinda huge. Anyways I was in severe pain but was not going to let it ruin my holiday weekend in Vegas. Needless to say I drank a lot of alcohol to keep it numb and it worked lol! I was a little bummed that I couldn't wear any high heels, but I still had a blast at the poker tables. Yes I am a mean poker player. I didn't take a lot of pics, because as they say.... What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...

Janet - Discipline (Live at Essence Festival)

I love when Janet takes sexy to the edge...

Erykah Badu At The Greek

So I went to the concert a couple nights ago and it was AMAZING to say the least. Who else can perform in 5 dollar sweat pants and a t-shirt and still be fly?? No one. If you missed it, you missed a great show. Here is a quick video from my phone and a couple photos...

Erykah Badu - 20 Feet Tall

I love this song :)



If you want to download a house remix of the song, click here.

Every Woman Should By Maya Angelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to....
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .......

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

M.I.A.- Born Free (Short Film/Video)

Now that's a video!

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

Death At A Funeral Premiere

The movie was funny with a very talented, star studded cast. I had a blast at the premiere catching up with people I hadn't seen in a while and networking with execs at the after party. It was freezing last night so I opted to cover the legs for a little comfort. I've already gotten bad press about the high boots and long dress but what do they know lol! Overall a great night with so many stars in attendance like Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Angell Conwell, Regina Hall, Chris Rock, Marlon Wayans, Columbus Short and Ciara to name a few.  My business partner and friend Ann Flagella came as well.  

Me

Photo By Jason Wallace

Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - Telephone

I don't really care for the song but the video is interesting...

My Vacation In Rio De Janerio

What can I say.... It was everything! For a whole week it was fun, exciting, relaxing, sexy, steaming hot with a hint of danger and very spiritual. I'll begin with the hotel...

We stayed in a HUGE suite at the Fasano :) It's a fairly new luxury hotel (maybe 2 years old) with every amenity imaginable. Beyonce and Alicia Keys had just left a couple days before we got there. They were there shooting a video together. Madonna, Lourdes, and Jesus (her boy toy lol) were staying there while we were there. Somehow people found out that Madonna was in the building and all hell broke loose. It was like TRL outside of the hotel with screaming fans right outside my damn balcony for 2 days! It was madness and Madonna had a huge bodyguard entourage every where she went. I just got a glimpse of her but I have met her once before already in LA so it wasn't a big deal to me. Well.. maybe just a little lol! But yes, the hotel was amazing, especially the infinity rooftop pool. We chilled up there a lot getting a head start on my tan for 2010. Nicole Scherzinger (pussy cat dolls) frequented the pool often as well. It felt so good to get some R&R far far away.



The Rio Carnival was way more than I anticipated. It was breath-taking! The day we arrived I was thinking people would be all over the streets dancing but I now know, that is the Trinidad Carnival. This carnival is held annually at the Sambodromo specifically built for this occasion. The parade goes on for HOURS each day. At least 9 hours. Unbelievable, right? It's different parades per school and each float tells a story. We were standing there and the parade ended after about an hour and a half. I was like wow, that was beautiful! I'm thinking it was over but no one was leaving. About a half hour later, a complete new parade with a total new theme started! So you'd better had a comfortable seat or some comfortable shoes because you could easily be there all day. One float with more wow factor than the last. It keep going and going like the energizer bunny lol. Needless to say we were wore out because we did two days for about 4-5 hours. But it was well worth it... to see all the work they put into this amazing affair. My favorite parade was the King and Queen, Royalty type theme, especially Cleopatra and her servants!!! I took so many pics I don't even know where to begin to add them...

It's like the whole city gets involved. If you are from Rio, 9 times out of 10 you have participated in the Carnival because it is such a prideful event with lots of heart! I felt so blessed to witness the BIGGEST Carnival in the world.

It also has it's religious connection... 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. I'm not Catholic though so I won't be giving up anything :)

So after experiencing the spirit and soul of the city, we did some more relaxing by the pool, then spa pampering, then shopping, then sight-seeing. I'm realizing right now that we never made it to the beach. It was just steps away but the pool was too nice and it had waiters lol! Next time!

Our last day there, we were so in the moment. The beauty of God was everywhere! In the birds, the people, the sea, in us. We were high on life and thanking GOD for all his blessings!! The next step was to go see why they call this city, The City Of God.


My favorite part of the trip was seeing the "Christ The Redeemer" statue. It was so high in the sky! Think Empire State building high, but wayyyyyy higher! We took a trolley type train that was hanging from wires up the mountain. It was a lot of Asian tourists on there. Our ears were popping and it literally looked like we were on an airplane by the view with the clouds eye level to us. Up and up we go til we finally reached the top. My friend Ann couldn't breathe well because of the thinness of the air. It was so hot that morning, like 90 degrees at 10am. Plus we had not been to sleep the night before because we wanted to sleep on the airplane back home. (15 hour flight) It had been a very spiritual morning because we watched the sunrise and was leaving that night so we took it all in.

Christ The Redeemer is a MUST SEE. No pictures will ever do it any justice. It is by far one of those things that should be on your bucket list. It was built in the 1920's but I still can't figure out how they got it up there Or how they worked so high in the sky, especially back then. It took 9 years to build and it only cost them $250,000. Amazing! I wonder how much something like that would cost today... If you want to learn more about it click here.

We were deliriously happy and giggly. It was the best time I had had in a long while. With the everyday hustle of life you forget sometimes what's important. Paying attention to GOD's signs and living in the moment is the beginning of a spiritual rewarding life. All work and no play makes anyone dull. Take time to actually hear the waves crash and the birds sing! I was well overdue and it was just what the doctor ordered. I feel so refreshed and new. I feel like I am back on my spiritual path :) I can go on and on about this trip but that would be a book in itself. Bottom line it was AMAZING.

Here's a video of me doing the "Samba" on the trolley type train that was hanging on wires in the air on our way to see Christ The Redeemer at 9 AM... With the Samba, from which I learned from a Brazilian at Carnival, it really is about the fancy footwork but you can't see it in this video unfortunately. I heard drums and had to dance! I have other vids I recorded of the parade and other things but for some reason it won't let me download. I'll take it as a "sign" that it's not really significant at this point. Enjoy...



Til my next adventure...

Bebel Gilberto - So Nice

I am getting ready for my trip to Rio de janeiro, Brazil. So I needed something to get me in the mood :) Enjoy..........

My Script

Finished finally. My first one. I'm very proud of myself because I have been wanting to write it for years but procrastinated over and over again. Now the next step is getting her made. I'm taking off my writers hat and putting on my producers hat and we are officially in preproduction. Produced by my production company, Heaven Lee Films. Stay tuned.