A Quarantine Time Filling List

So, a high school classmate of mine, blog name, No Al, asked me to suggest some books while we are all social distancing ourselves during this Covid-19 event. I was happy to oblige. She's cool people and she (and a few others) have asked for books & web series before. And then my mind got an idea and I asked on Facebook and Instagram.

Who needs/wants a Quarantine book or web series list?🙂

Feeling Inspired!

Enough of you say "Me", might do a post.

As of the time I am typing this I have 4 on FB & 5 on IG to say Me.

I love sharing books & indie web series. I have to cut myself off because I could probably share forever. They are some of the simplest ways I like to entertain & understand myself. I also threw in my Being Active playlist. Just some videos I put on to "move my body" a little. Reading & Watching web series can be sedentary activities. But still not a proper excuse not to be functional.

The Reading List
Fiction

What Looks Crazy on an Ordinary by Pearl Cleage (Anything by Her)

32 Candles by Ernesta Carter

Desperately Seeking Exclusivity by Christopher Markland

Desperately Seeking Pleasure by Christopher Markland

The Delusion of Cinderella by Kym Whitley

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (Anything by Her)

The Mothers by Brit Bennet

Pastor Needs a Boo by Michele Andrea Brown (Anything by Her)

Nonfiction

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman (The is a version for all; Couples, Single Kids, Teens, Men)

Ghetto Nation by Cora Daniels

80s Kid by Jade Heasley

Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom

I'm Already Professionally Developed by Eddie B

If These Shoes Could Talk by Tia McCullors

Brunchspiration: Faith, Inspiration, and Motivation by Norma Jarrett (Anything by Her)

The Web Series List (All Free, All on Youtube)

Everything I Did Wrong in My 20s: What Happens When Life Forces You to Find Happiness in Your Late 30s. (My Favorite Web Series)

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

The Unwritten Rules: Racey Jones and her journey in being the only black woman in her department at work.

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Giants: Life kicks three friends down in different ways, watch how they emotionally fight to get up.

Season 1 & 2

Avant Guardian: The guardian angel of the future 3rd black president is sent to God-mandated therapy.

Part 1 & Part 2

Keloid: A supernatural suspense focused on a mother and son’s journey to get his new supernatural powers under control, and hide from a past that haunts (and hunts) them.

Watch it HERE

Black Girl in a Big Dress: Adrienne is an awkward Black historical reenactor in love with the Victorian Era trying to steer 21st century dating with 19th-century standards.

Season 1

Season 2

The Staying Active List
Here is my Playlist on Youtube.

I hope this helps as we all are, as No Al said, #SurvivingTheQuarantine. Anything that will help us keep our wits about us. Whatever you end up reading or watching let me know. And don't forget to be active.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

It's Another Day's Journey...(Answering Questions)

Questions Asked, Questions Answered!

Q: What do you think is the worst day(s) for a date?

A: I have a complicated relationship with Tuesdays. It's not my favorite day of the week. Trying to jog my mind and I'm rather confident that I decided years ago not to go on dates Tuesdays if all possible. Best bet is to find the day you don't ever feel your best and not go on dates on that one.

Q: Did you watch The Guy Series Finale? Any thoughts? Are you doing a review of the whole series like you did for previous web shows?

A: *Spoiler Alert*
Yeah, I after I said I wasn't, I ended up watching the much-awaited series finale of the web series, That Guy. As you know it came with drama on several sides. I refuse to talk about the drama. I don't want the tea or lemonade behind any of it. I didn't live tweet like usually would and I am not doing a review of the whole series. That Guy just ended. My "Fan Hearted Thinking" theory at the end, it was Deon(I didn't dislike Deon but as a ceremonial exit to Ms. Daniels from Black & Sexy) got hit with the bullet and she was talking at the police station or from the grave. But actually, we watched a rough draft and that's why the series finale flowed like an episode 1. The proverbial Well should've been left alone.

While Power is on, I watch

Q: You never talk about Power. Do you watch it?

A: I sure Don't watch Power. I've never seen an episode. I don't watch Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, also. You didn't ask, but I told you anyway. It is an hour-long show well past Season 1 at this point. And I am a horrible binge watcher. Y'all have fun, though.

Q: Recently, you live-tweeted during a Sunday morning service you were at or watching. Are you looking to do that more often?

A: No, I only do that on an occasional whim. I'm not live-tweeting while at church, in person. I take out my phone at church, I'm bored. When streaming from home, live-tweeting is like me signifying with the pastor or minister or high fiving with a neighbor. My church's live feed has a Twitter plug-in. Many times I forget it's there.

But feel free to follow #tphonline, many of the e-church congregants tweet some great notes & observations. You can find some nice gems in that hashtag.

Don't forget to send your questions to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@GMail.com. As you see, I do answer them.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

Miss Me Talking About Web Series? (Answering Questions)

Time to answer a question or two.

Q: Have you stop talking about Web Series? Are you still watching them? Are you watching anything new?

A: I'm still live tweeting on Black & Sexy Saturdays. I am still commenting on those show shown on You Tube.  And yes, there are some new titles for you guys to watch. I look at this list and I realize I have been holding out on you guys. Some of these shows have 2nd seasons. I'M SORRY!!! Maybe I was enjoying these shows so much. Charge It To My Head And Not My Heart!!! SMH

The Process
Married couple, a promising actor & a caring social worker manage life.

Tough Love
Six Millennial friends secretly participating in threapy sessions about the dating world.

Giants

Life kicks three friends down in different ways, watch how they enotinally get up.

Makeup and Breakup

A romantic schemer & a relationship dreamer break up. The world becomes their oyster. Do they get pearls or sand.

Black Panties

Four friends experience the vulnerable sides of womanhood.

All of these links are to the trailers of these dramas. All can be found on You Tube. So Enjoy! And thanks for the web series talk reminder. *muah*

Oh Send OutSpoken_Diva Any Questions at C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@GMAIL.COM.
As best I can, I Answer!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Web Show Bae and other Web Show Chatter

I have started and erased this post 3 times last week. In offline land, I have curbed my web show chatter. Seeing the Clues & Taking the Hints. I just make "small" lists for those who are interested in watching now.

But Facebook reminded me of the blog post that I first told people about my web show addiction. I was reading the list and most of those show have ended. So, I decided to make this post about the newest shows that I haven't talk about yet. Yeah, even those who have "list" of what I watch, haven't heard me talk much or at all about these shows. Of course, hover the title or season number to watch the show.

Herbs & Honesty
I became aware of Willard Hill's music because it was featured on a show called Rider on Black & Sexy TV. I've been a fan of New Orleans music for decades. I really love zydeco & bounce. So, when I heard the track featured, I became an instant fan. Then I saw his social commentary show on Black & Sexy TV and enjoy it as well. I think my favorite episode so far is "Clubbed to Death". Oh and each episode he has a great ending quote, "Don't Chase the High, Chase Your Higher Self". I love that.

The New Shade of Black
Remember when one of my favorite web series the Unwritten Rules ended (*side eye* Read It Here). Well, the Craig character got a spin-off. The Unwritten Rules were about being "Black" in the office. This is about him and his three marketing business partners live "Black" in society. Oh here's the kicker, one of the partners is not black. It has serious moments but it is tongue & cheek comedy. I love "the NEW Baller" episode. Because we all know all Black men can play basketball. LoL

Clayton
"She set out to do a documentary on her life as a Criminal Attorney. She got more than she bargained for" That's the tagline I almost missed. On Twitter & Instagram, I am a Blocking Beast. I will block an account that I don't think to represent me in a snap. And for every web show I watch, there is 2-3 I can't watch. I don't relate to the content. *shrug* The creator of Clayton follow request me on IG and I look at the pics on there and watched the trailer. I was hooked at the premise of this drama. Then I binge-watched (Shocking because I am a horrible binge watcher) so I could be current for the next episodes. This show has suspense & twists for days. For the past 2 weeks, (Yes, it's that current) Tuesday & Fridays are pearl-clutching days for 5-15 minutes. For those moments, I am Tracy Clayton's screen advisor. That's what Tracy needs, a friend like me. Tuesday can't come quick enough.

You Do You (Buzz Feed) Season 1 Season 2
Don't judge me. We take the quizzes. We're using the hacks. I watch the web show. It's silliness. It makes me happy I am out my 20s. But even they seem cooler than me when I was their age. Friends being friends and living life.

So, that's the new stuff. Now, let me tell you about who I am watching some of this stuff with. His name is Tone (And that can be his blog name). I met him at the beginning of the year. He was interested in me. Well, of course, I told him I was celibate. I say that at least by the 1st date so a guy can go on about his way if he would like. Well, he said, "Oh, you're like this show I watch called Sexless" I replied "What you know about Sexless? You don't watch Black & Sexy". We talked for I know a couple of hours about the web shows we watch. Our date on Valentine's Day was "Web Show & Hang".

We marathoned (Windows is saying that is not a word) Sexless & Chef Julian to get us ready for the season finale of Sexless (which was a Valentine's Day episode) & the Q & A with the cast afterward and ate Pei Wei take out. It was fun. Now, the whole dating thing went out the door by mid-March. But web show talk time is still popping. We've introduced each other to shows the other was not watching. Then last week, I found out that on his phone my name is Web Show Bae. I actually think that is funny. As long as no drama come because of it, I can be Web Show Bae. It's just fun to have someone in the offline world to consistently discuss web shows with. It was kind of lonely. Online posting is fun and I have met a few people on Twitter because of web series. Saturdays after 6 pm are Lit. But to have a tangible person that I can touch & talk to makes feels good. Oh and to the people on FB that I gave a list to, he's who provided the help schedule. I'm trying to be on his level.

So, that is the web show update, I guess. I trimmed my total list down a lot. I don't like waiting on a series that will not come back. Oh and nothing has properly ended so I can do a review of it. Check these shows out if you would like. Oh, and if you watch web shoes let me know what you watch in the comments.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Another Blog Year, Another Journey Coming Up

Well, Thoughts of an OUTSPOKEN_DIVA is almost 4 years (July 3rd). On the third, I'll be a tad busy with work and preparations for my weekend plans so, I'm telling you guys early of a few known new plans for the blog.

This is what I looked like 4 years ago at my birthday dinner. That dress is so big on me now. I could put a blouse under it and make it a jumper. Oh and see my short bob. I told you guys my hair was short.

This is me at this year's birthday dinner. Longer hair and fitting in a dress 5 years old and 2 sizes smaller without seeing my rolls. Still working on my arms. I was looking at my oldest aunt's arms and I think it might be hereditary among the heavier members. Regardless, I'm still lighting the kettlebells to get the jokers slimmer not hit people with them like my name is Sean Combs (He & I are too old to act that foolish).

Now as for the blog, there will be a New year-long series based healthier holiday recipes.

Do you know parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14–30?
A master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. According to the abilities of each man, one servants received five talents, the second servants received two talents, and the third servants received one talent. The property entrusted to the three manslaves was worth 8 talents, where a talent was a significant amount of money. Upon returning home, after a long absence, the master asks his three servants for an accounting of the talents he entrusted to them. The first and the second servants explain that they each put their talents to work, and have doubled the value of the property with which they were entrusted; each servants was rewarded. .The third servant, however, had merely hidden his talent, had buried it in the ground, and was punished by his master.

Well, because of  me doing a healthier soul food series, I am being rewarded and the Holiday Healthy series is a part of it. I am so glad I was not like the third servant and decided not to hide my talent.

The series is self explanatory. I will be providing healthy & helpful tips & recipes doing different holidays. Weight gain refuses to not take a vacation. So, the calories we consume on holidays count too. And this series starts right in time for Independence Day. I know many of us will be chowing down of on some cookout food if some kind. Some will even be cooking for some of these cookouts. Well, if you want to save yourself some calories & fat stay tuned. It will probably drop soon because if you are like my home, there's some shopping that needs to be done this week.

It has been a while since I told you guys anything here about a web series. That is because I have been watching them. LoL Oh there is a new one by Black & SexyTV on there new Black & Sexy Now PPV called Sexless that wrapped in May. I promise you, they have been taking notes on my life since I was 15. It's about 4 ladies (well 3 and maybe 1 depending on your definition of sex) who are all not having sex. 2 are virgins & 2 are celibate (again depending on your definition). I have been every woman on that show in some shape, form or fashion. The introduction minisodes & first episode are free on their YouTube channel. You can watch them HERE. Also the Marriage Tour season 3 HERE & Dating Savannah Love HERE (who's dating life looks a lot like mine) have started. And soon prepare for my thug tears. The web show, That Guy is ending its run with a third season. I reviewed the movie (LINK) earlier this year. Thanks to its spin-off, Being Nia & the Sexless spin-off, Chef Julian some of my questions have been answered. Ronnie will be around a little & Darryl has learned a lesson from the Judah/Stacy issue. He learned it so well he was schooling this guy named Julian well. After the series finale, I will do a farewell post to That Guy. I think as long as Judah & Deon or Mike & Deon don't start dating, I think I will be fine. We shall see.

And that is it. I'll try not to negative and be very informed about everything I post for another year. No matter the topic, I will be 100% OUTSPOKEN_DIVA. Last and Never least, Thank You to every reader of this blog. I was just typing stuff  I need to get off my brain.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Racey, Don't Leave Me! The Ending of The Unwritten Rules

First it was RoomieLoverFriends now The Unwritten Rules has ended. I've known for a week or two.
It still makes me sad. I really like that web series.

It is about Racey Jones and her journey in being the only black woman in her department at work. It is a hilarious view on an issue many black people face everyday. Each episode ends with a rules or lesson to be learned.

It is based on a great book (Yes, I read it) called "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a N***er, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman" by Kim Williams. Aasha Davis stars a Racey. Racey's superior is Kathy. Kathy is racist. Not KKK racist but the kind that knows how to play the affirmative action ball as long as blacks are in their place.

Well, of course the blacks (Especially the new CEO, Kaneisha Jackson) don't stay in their place and Kathy can't take it.

Also to add to the white worry of Racey is Jessica & Lauren. The mean well but with their unawareness to their white privilege keeps Racey questioning their motives and friendship.

Oh white people are not the only headache causing people on the show for Racey. Craig & Derek, who understand the plight of Racey have different agendas they want met at work. Both take different paths in executing them. Both affect Racey. Racey's only allies in the show are her co-worker, Peter, Kaneisha's assistant, Annabelle and her boyfriend, Will.


Yeah, I watched the Series Finale during the lunch hour.

Racey was at a crossroads. Should she stay or should she go? I'm not going spoiled the ending but I will focus on one the scenes in the beginning of the episode. Racey asks Kaneisha how did she not lose her mind while being the only black woman to eventually becoming the CEO. Kaneisha told her how she did it in very creative way to me.
"It is all just a game. And you just have to grab the ball and force everyone to play with you"
That was powerful advice, in my opinion. And "the game" becomes a good point of thought for Racey in this episode. I'll give you a spoiler hint, "The field will change and Racey will make a decision, then". I loved the ending. It stopped on the right point and the last rule was perfect.

Gosh, I can Relate. For me it started...
I told y'all I lived an all black life until I got to middle school. Yet, it was not until I got into Lamar University's Nutrition & Dietetics classes did I experience life as the only black. It started Summer I. I am a career Code Switcher whose experience with race (Blacks were a different, too) at this school was already eye opening. But even that didn't prepare me for this experience. First, it was the name game. My biological name always gets butchered. I was used to it. I was prepared for it. I was not prepared for the relief I saw when I corrected the saying of my name. It was like they were prepared for me to have an attitude. Then the questions about how I got the name and the practicing to say it right. Yes, they broke it down into syllables. Secondly, some how became the expert for the eating habits and self image of black people. "So, do you think Black people feel that BMI & body shape charts are for White people only"? I'll never forget that day to save my life.

There I was a full hourglass, maybe an apple shaped black woman sitting among quite a few rectangles and inverted triangles wondering when my name became "All Black People". Third, when Fall began and all those black students I saw come in and out the building before that Summer I session returned. The first day of Fall classes I heard a few black students murmur in confusion about who I was and why did all the white people know me. I saw the writing on the wall quickly. Well, the instructor wanted us to pair off and that we would be partners for the semester. I ended up being partners with the newest new student to the department, a hispanic woman around my age. She was one of the best partner ever. Fourth was when I decided to help drum up some business for my buddy Dee and got my hair cornrowed. My classmate, Becky was so enamored with my hair. "These are extensions, right"? She was so disappointed when I took them down and put my hair back into a bun. Finally, Summer I of the next school year rolled around. I walked in and I saw this lone black lady's eyes light up when I walked in. She was new & was happy to see my black face. She clinged to me for few classes until she found her stride.

If you watched the show, some of these life experiences would remind you of  the episodes,

Let's Talk About Hair

The Whack Girl (Which actually describe my feeling at LU as a whole)

Just A Group Of Us (When Craig gets there)

Guess Who's Coming to the Fundraiser.







My Favorite Episode:
The Merry Christmas episode is so funny. It starts when Racey is chosen to decorate her team's cubicle. Who does she bring?

She brings Leroy, the Black Santa!!! It gets the conversation about the ethnicities of Santa and Jesus.

Then at the holiday party, the company finds out the old CEO is being brought up on charges and in comes the New CEO, Kaneisha Jackson. Racey & Craig have party at the party. The company was being ran by a black woman, Oh Happy Day!!! The Merry Christmas is the beginning of the harder conversation underlying within the show. What is "race'" in post-Obama USA? After Jackson gets there, the show looks a lot like the current political climate in this country. The Republicans (Kathy) got violently upset at the changes. The "Black Voters" (Craig & Derek) that were first on board may or may not stay on board because of the changes don't exactly fit their agenda. And All the citizens who just want a better, fairly ran country (Racey & Peter) but see their voices being quieted by the others.

Fascinating work, I say!!! I'm going to miss this show. I love the theme song also (that is not it in the clip). It's called Ox Tails by French Telefone. Pick it up on ITunes & Amazon. Oh when you watch Unwritten Rules,

Check out another series on Ink Spot Entertainment channel called Everything I Did Wrong in My 20's. It is very life affirming. I have yet not to finish an episode in awe or in tears. Also as I said in my tweet you saw, there will be other thought provoking shows in 2015 to "Start A Conversation".



Don't know what I will watch on the first Wednesday of the month now but I am glad I spent past ones with The Unwritten Rules. One day hope these rules are broken. One Day... and Even on that day, Racey Rules!!!

Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Oh I Forgot!!!!

OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Best of 2013

So I decided to do a blog on My Best of 2013. I like a many things but some things I like a little bit more than others. No, there will not be a Worse of 2013 blog. Am I not critical enough? Even though I want in 2014, for World Star Hip Hop to destroy All the Ratchet, All the Ghetto, and All the Dysfunctional videos ever known to man on its website. I will not make a blog to highlight the gross stuff of 2013.  LoL

In 2013, I decided to make it a mission to try some new Restaurants and make different recipes. Because No one will make New Foods, I had to do something.  I’m a foodie at heart. Probably why I picked the major. So here is some Good food worth sharing

Favorite Restaurant Dish

Disco Fries (Houlihans)

I went here for my birthday dinner. French Fries, Pot Roast, Gravy, Green Onions and Cheddar Cheese make a great dish. I had a salad also that was delicious, but it didn’t make the picture (maybe I was eating it)

Favorite New Recipe

3 Ingredient Chicken

On Facebook my sister tags me when she shares some of the recipes she wants to try. That’s how I saw this one. It’s just Chicken, dry Italian Dressing mix and Brown Sugar. Bake it and you have a finger licking good meal. I pair it with a simple Wax Bean & Carrot medley.

Favorite Meatless Meal

Pasta Puttanesca

I try to go meatless once a week. Usually Mondays except during Lent, which I go meatless on Fridays. One day going through recipes for clients I ran across one I made in my Basic Foods class in college. It’s linguine with sautéed chili peppers, Spanish olives, zucchini, diced tomatoes and oregano in light olive oil & garlic over it.

 

Favorite New Fast Food

Taco Casa

I saw a cousin on Facebook talk about this place. Well on National Taco Day, I got try them. Yummy!!! 

 

 

Okay I know you know I spend an obscene amount of time watching TV. Of Course you know about TV Thursday but Sundays I’m a tad obsessive about my shows also.

Favorite Food Show

Cutthroat Kitchen I love this show!!! It is like Chopped, the childhood game Dare, meets Vegas slots. It speaks to the creativity of a chef because these challenges can be a doozy.

 

Favorite Instead of “Popular” Reality Show I Watch:

Boardwalk Empire and Treme I love these two shows. Hate that this the last season for Treme. If you keep up with life after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or at least watch the two Spike Lee Doc for HBO about it, you know Treme is very Accurate. Boardwalk Empire keeps my attention in a way that frightens me. It is full of violence yet it intrigues me. It’s like when Prohibition started and Atlantic City acted like it was not law. Nucky Thompson is the man. And there is Chalky White, the lone black guy in Nucky’s posse. How can one man be so upstanding and crooked at the same time, beats me. Right now all the key players are scattered away from Atlantic City so I can’t wait to see what brings them back to town.

Favorite Comedy:

Big Bang Theory Are you shocked? Especially since Raj now can talk to women without the use of Alcohol. Finally. That was bothering me. He was going to need rehab. Big Bang Theory are the people I knew and myself in high school. I can name someone for everyone on that show. Yes, I’m am Bernadette.

Favorite Rom Com:

Hart of Dixie Still Team Zeorge (George & Zoe) even though Zoe is with some writer named Joel & George is with the Mayor Lavon’s cousin Lynly. Zoe has finally connected to her birth father’s family, the Wilkes. Lemon is even seeing some promise in finding herself.

Favorite Drama:

Scandal & Greys Anatomy It is a tie. Both keep my heart pounding. Shonda Rhymes know the key to the drama side of my heart. Keep my suspense and tie up loose ends all at the same time. She does it well. Even though the Yang/Grey fighting stabs me in the heart and whenever Mama Pope calls Olivia, “Livie” scares me a bit, I have to watch these shows.

Favorite New Show:

Super Fun Night Nope it’s not Marvels Agents of Shield. It’s Super Fun Night. Little known fact about the Diva…I don’t go out that much. When I do it looks a lot like this show (Dollar to Donuts my friends will disagree but trust me I have stories to prove it). The first episode with Kimmie jumping around trying to put on her shape wear I died laughing. As a shape wearer I can totally relate.

I Miss the Most Show

Emily Owens Yep, a show that is about an awkward nerd that went against the grain of pop culture’s definition of Nerd on a Broadcast Station (The CW) that is filled with mostly shows that are geared to fans of pop culture. Dr. Emily Owens, I still miss you!!!

 

Web Shows are next. Y’all know I’m addicted to them. Vlogs also. I can’t go a day with watching something. I see a pattern I think my emotional & inner dating self is in its late 20's. Web Series might be my way of  finding out what went wrong. Just a guess!

Favorite Continuing Web Series (Tie)

Unwritten Rules Season 2 Link

Spoiler alert! Racy has a new boss. She thought it was going to be easier. Umm new boss, new issues.

That Guy Season 2 Link

Two guy Mike & Judah, somewhat trifling, but they have good hearts and they mean well. Season 2 delves into the emotions of That Guys. Hilarious stuff.

 

Favorite New Web Series (Tie)

No Strings, Please Link

Think living in a New city gets rid of you. Nope! You are still you.

Smoke & Mirrors Link

Dixon, Dixon, Dixon! Go through a journey of a man who finds out if relationships and the problems in them are illusions we make for ourselves.

Favorite Vlog

KevOnStage Link

You know those quirky churchy/non churchy articles we read or videos we watch and can’t believe they are real. Meet the man to discuss them. Also he make the “Cartoon Scandal” videos we all love so much.

Favorite Sketch Comedy

The Playmakers Link

The future of Christian Comedy is on YouTube. I first fell in love with The Playmakers with a video called “Stuff Black Church Girls Say” http://youtu.be/uGKWVv53eX0. Black Church Girls now have Web Series and also check out Music Videos by a group called Praydeci. Good Clean fun!!! Oh and KevonStage is member of The Playmakers

 

Yes I still read books. In 2004 I heard myself go stupid and was losing my grasp on the English language. Never again so of course I am still reading. I read some wonderful ones this year.

Best Fiction

The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men by Ernessa Carter

4 Women in 2 years get nothing they want but All that they need. Also look for cameos from Davie Jones, Main character of 32 Candles by the same author.

 

Best Non-Fiction

Ghettonation: A Journey Into the Land of Bling and Home of the Shameless by Cora Daniels

I wrote a blog about it sometime ago. Go read it Here

Best Sci-Fi

Long Division by  Kiese Laymon

Defying a patronizingly racist contest on live television, 14-year-old Citoyen “City” Coldson’s rant goes viral and becomes an embarrassment on a national scale. Sent to stay with family in the small town of Melahatchie, he distracts himself from Internet infamy, redneck racists, and a grandmother who’s not afraid to make him cut her a switch by reading a mysterious book where his name and the name of his grandmother's teenage missing neighbor appear.

 

Best Novella

I Met Him in the Ladies' Room (pt1) by Michelle Simpson

Where did you meet the Lord? Kerri Dalee met Him in the Restroom. That simple, right? Read it and find out. 

Favorite Memoir

Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation by Aisha Tyler

Okay only Memoir I read. Charging $12-$15 for your life on my Kindle is gross. No one is that interesting. When they go down, I’ll read more of those. The Nerd Queen proves why she is just that. I love this book. I know she and I would have been friends in Latter Elementary & Middle school.

For Lent, I’m giving up buying makeup. In 2013, I found myself buying product after product. So let me share my favorite lip products for my looks I experimented with this year. Yes, All lip products. I didn’t do anything new with my eyes.

Favorite Lip Stain

Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain

It stays on for many hours, moisturizes and has shine.

Favorite Go To Lip Stick

Maybelline Color Sensationals Vivids - Pink Pop

If I needed to add some color to a look it was my trusty bubby. It is smooth & long lasting.

Favorite Trend (Ombre’ Lips)

Two tone lips are not new. But 2013 was the year of doing more than red lip liner and pink lip color. I saw ladies adding different colors to their Ombre’ lips. And I am happy to say I think the Black eye liner on the lip phase may be going away (cuing the praise music, I’m going in, in advance),

My Autumn Ombre’ was done with SEPHORA COLLECTION Nano Lip Liner - Beau Bordeaux, then REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter – Sorbet then topped off with Maybelline Color Sensational High Gloss Shine - Captivating Coral.

 

My October Awareness Ombre’ I talked about in a  Blog earlier this fall, was achieve with COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipliner – Plum & Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain -  Rose On and On.

 

 

Yep, those looks were that simple!!!

Favorite MakeUp Vlog

Cosmetic Candies FYI Link

Oh I fell in love with another Makeup Vlog. She’s the only Vlog that made me truly understand Ombre’ Lips

 

Alright the video playing while you were reading is one of my favorites in Music for 2013

Favorite Sacred

Ultimate Relationship by Donald Lawrence (Ft Lalah Hathaway)

I follow Lalah Hathaway on Twitter and I saw tweets about this song. It’s remake of a song fame Gospel artist Donald Lawrence wrote for Mary J. Blige. Who is the Best Person to wake up and talk to in the morning? I added it to my worship playlist and never turned back.

Favorite Secular

Finally by Carolyn Malachi

Watch the Video Here

Y’all can play this at my funeral (Bishop might not mind) LoL On Sunday evening I listen to a Podcast called Black Girl Nerds http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackgirlnerds (Shout out to BGN) and this is the opening song. It’s simple, “Finally, I’m Finally Me. Finally, I’m Finally Free. Refreshing!!!

 

And that wraps up my favorite things of 2013. Hope you enjoyed it! What were some of your favorite things of 2013? Let me know in the comments below. If the Lord says the same I’ll see you in 2014.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms