Davadivine Daily

Bearing My Rolls.

2010-06-06T01:06:00.002-04:00

Ok. In my last post, which was a shameful 4 months ago, I eluded to the fact that future post would be about losing weight. And, now I am back to share with you what I have been doing over this last little while. Besides being a mother and wife. I have gone back to work as an Account Executive in the world of print advertising. As exciting as it is to be back at work, and as challenging and gratifying (most of the time)as my job is..... Work is the LAST thing I want to talk about.

I have undertaken a job the likes of which I have never known--weight loss. On January 26, 2010. I responded to a sign on a local shopping center marquis, for Jazzercise. At the time, I wasn't working and had become sedentary, bored and, well... fat. Since high school track, I have rarely been interested in anything remotely related to exercise, beyond a stroll through the mall. But, this particular activity has consumed me. Dance, laugh, loose weight? Sign me up!!!

Classes consist of 30 minutes of aerobic dance. The routines are a fun mix of Jazz, hip-hop, kick-boxing, and old school Jane Fonda style aerobics. The second 30 minutes includes stretch, strength training and cool down, sprinkles of yoga and pilates keep it fresh and challenging. It is the happiest hour of my day. The music is current and the instructors are inspirational. I am sold.

On that January 26, 2010, I weighed in at a whopping 221lbs. Now let me put this in perspective for those of you not immediately alarmed at that number. I have never weighed over 200 lbs in my life!! Not even at 9 months pregnant. Not either of the 4 times I have been pregnant! With a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as a personal history of gestational diabetes and high cholesterol, It is not ok for me to be obese. Besides, There is NOTHING cute about that number. 221 lbs, hmmp!

So, I "joined" Jazzercise and have been attending classes about 5x a week ever since. As I write, today, I weigh about 205 lbs. Up to this point I have refused to "diet". I love to eat. It goes against my mental constitution to eliminate entire food groups, take a bunch of pills and herbs, or restrict myself into a depression fueled binge. Yet, as happy as am with my +/- 1lb/wk weight loss, I have been pondering a way to amp up my results. So, today, I bit the bullet and sined up to try Weight Watchers. I have always and only heard great things about the program and the "lifestyle" it teaches. Jennifer Hudson's new trim physique has also piqued my interest.

Now armed with a point calculator, support books, e-tools and weekly meetings, I am on a mission to loose 55 lbs. By January 1, 2011. GOD help me!

I will try to update often with more pics and scoop on my progress. Any encouraging works, tips, and 2 cents will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

Hey Y'all

2010-02-14T10:24:00.002-05:00

Ok. So can I just say how horribly embarassed I am about how long it has been since I last blogged. But what had happened was....LIFE.

Anyway, I'm back, and I have so much to talk about.
Is anybody else tripping about the snow storm that has blanketed, litereally, half the country. Is it just me or is this weather/natural disaster funny business happening to frequently for comfort lately? Tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes? I smell global warming, but I digress.

Anyway, just wanted to warm my fingers up, and let you know that I am still alive and kicking or should I say typing. Stay tuned for more of my preverbial mouthfuls. I will give you a hint with regard to upcoming post "Get thin in 2010" (Gosh that was cheezy)

Eye love Green!

2009-10-30T11:06:00.001-04:00

Green is my new obsession for Fall. Especially on my eyes. I've been experimenting with different shades and degrees of shimmer. I've also played around with different color combos. Green and purple is nice, green and gold is bananas, my favorite is green, grey (silver) and smoke. Day or night, matte or metallic, Final analysis: Fierce!

I found. Great Tote for Fall.

2009-10-13T09:33:00.002-04:00

This gorgeous purple leather tote is my new obsession! Large enough for my laptop, file folders, sippy cups, and ballet flats--I will never leave home without it. One more item off my Fall wardrobe wish list...
Large Purple Tote, Jaye Hersh, $29.99

Ashley 'AJ' Jewell Rest In Perfect Peace

2009-10-09T00:35:00.002-04:00

In this week's episode of the Real Hot Messes of Atlanta, Kim invites Kandi to go shopping. She apologizes for missing Kandi's come-back performance, saying that she missed the show because her daughter was sick. Kandi and Kim chit chat about each of their relationships. Kandi explains to Kim that her mother dissaproves of her relationship with AJ (may his soul rest in perfect peace). Kim reveals that she and Poppa have decided that the key to the success of their relationship hinges on their ability to keep people out of their business. As the scene wraps, Kim heads to the counter with $600 worth of clothes for her daughter. She whips out her Titanium AmEx. FYI one must charge $250k per year to qualify for this card. Where does Kim work again?
NeNe plans a race "Heeling the Sole" for her domestic violence charity. The handful of partipants all sprinted in high heels. Including NeNe's husband Greg and Honorary Hotmess Dwight, who wore 6 inch stillettos and a black poom poom shorts jumpsuit. Uhm, yea.
Moving on, Lisa visits Kandi and they have a talk about how Lisa doesn't want Ed to return to the NFL due to his serious injury.
Sheree shoots a promotional video for SHE by Sheree. She wants to show the video during the show. Dwight, whom Sheree enlisted to "help" her, disagrees saying the video has no place in the show. Dwight is obliged to assist with the show and claims to be " a gift from God sent to Sheree".
Sheree reminds viewers that the collection is SHE by Sheree not "He by Dwight". Just imagine if it was...

My Fall Wardrobe Wish List

2009-10-01T11:17:00.002-04:00

As the nights become cooler and the mornings more crisp, I find myself in a panic about my tired Fall wardrobe. I need to add a few pieces to freshen things up. I am looking for pieces that are affordable, versatile, inter-changeable, stylish but not trendy. Here's the first draft of my Fall wardrobe wish list. I will post my finds as I acquire them.

Ottavio, Nine West $109

Bright colored Tote

Huge suede Hobo Bag

Cute wool Jacket

Long black leather gloves

Leather Motorcycle Jacket (black, white, or purple)

Scrunch bottom skinny jeans

High waist black slacks

One shoulder dress

Harem pants

Assorted long sleeved T's (for layering)

Assorted Dolman sleeved tops

Super cowl neck sweater

Red pumps

Green Pumps

Rain boots

Thigh-high boots

~~Ankle Booties~~

Assorted scarves

The Real Hot Messes of ATL Recap

2009-09-25T00:45:00.001-04:00

9/24/09 Recap

In this week's episode of the Real Hot Messes of Atlanta, Kim takes Big Poppa back admitting that she "doesn't want her girls' lifestyle to change". The good intentioned mother asserts that she is "not ashamed of dating a married man, its just a piece of paper." In the next clip, she purchases a $19,000 ring courtesy of the paper bound Big Poppa.

Sheree plans her independence party and intends for the focus to be "all about her". The final production is a far cry from the helicopter entry she had originally envisioned, before she nearly came to blows with the event planner. At the party, she unveils a rather beautiful, larger than life portrait of herself. How Sheree!
On a sad side note--Lawrence, Sheree's hairstylist, showed up to the female only independence party dressed in hot pink, stretch skinny jeans and red heels.

Kandi's performance was brilliant in the Pocketbook Monologues. After the show, Dwight offered his acting skills if ever there were to be a Tool Box Monologue. I have faith in Our Father that no such tragedy will ever be written!

Lisa advised Kandi to stay out of the Kim and NeNe "Tardy for the Party" song drama. But the whole situation boiled over at Sheree's party when NeNe "got all crunk" with Kandi in the typical neck-rolling, lip smacking NeNe fashion; after NeNe told Kim that the song wouldn't sell without her.

In this episode, it was revealed that NeNe, is writing a memoir that will be, according to her co-author, a whole plate of neck bones. I'll leave that right there.

Final synopsis- A Hot Mess... as usual.

When It Rains...It Pours!

2009-09-24T12:29:00.003-04:00

Hello Friends.

Forgive the delay in posting over the past couple of days. You may have heard West/ATL Georgia was hit by torrential downpours earlier this week that led to flooding and utter chaos. Schools have been closed all week. So, Mommy has been working over time. I've literally been trapped in the house [since many streets are closed], boiling water, for drinking and cooking, and throwing out contaminated ice cubes before the kids get to them.

Our running water has finally been restored, but it is coming out milky white...yuck!

As Murphy's Law would have it, I am also having some technical issues behind the scenes with the blog. I hope to have this all straightened out in the next couple of days.
If you have friends or relations in West Georgia, take a moment to check on them. Streets I travel, and stores that I visit on a daily basis are completely under water! Nine people have lost their lives in this flood and thousands of others are without homes. I complain about being inconvenienced, but I am truly humbled by God's power and grace.

I will be recapping The Hot Messes of Atlanta tonight. Keep checking. Stay Fab.

Davadivine

2009-09-21T16:37:00.001-04:00

Monogram Rain Boots $270, Gucci

Today, North Georgia is awash in long overdue Summer Showers. So much so, water mains are broken, the county I live in has declared a state of emergency, and schools and roads are closed. Even as I type, I am without running water or cable. Though I probably won't venture out into today's wet madness, I imagine myself navigating puddles in a great pair of rain boots. Today's downpour has moved galoshes further up on my Fall fashion wish list. My search turned up a few super cute contenders.

Dav's Leopard Rainboot $79

Pixy Rain Boot $108, Coach

Classic Yellow Rain Boot $24.99, Target

Is SHE serious? SHE by Sheree.

2009-09-19T10:00:00.010-04:00

SHE by Sheree, the new clothing line designed by Atlanta Real Housewife Sheree Whitfield, was shown during New York Fashion Week 2009.

Sadly, I am completely underwhelmed. I mean, what's the point? Any one of the SHE by Sheree designs, could be found in a department store in Anytown, USA; on the clearance rack for that matter. What's new or exciting about leather-look leggings and sheath dresses paired with wide belts. There is, plainly, nothing forward-looking, innovative, or artistic about the line.
Sheree has barely reworked the most simple of contemporary shapes. She and SHE by Sheree would have been better off if the Real Housewife had opted to just fund or invest in an existing project of a real fashion designer. In the last episode, Sheree mocked fellow houswife Lisa Wu Hartwell for doing precisely that. I know... right?

On a positive note, it is good to see Sheree taking the initiative to create her own source of income, since her $1.1 million divorce settlement, from ex-hubby NFL player Bob Whitfield, fell short of her initial demands.

Photos: G. Paras Photography

Lobster for Lunch

2009-09-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

After I got the boys off to daycare this morning, I ran by Kroger to pick up a few things. To my shock and delight I discovered Live Main Lobster on sale in the seafood department for $6.99/lbs! I bought 2. Steamed for 10 minutes and dunked in lemon butter--Nirvanna.

The Real Hot Messes of Atlanta

2009-09-18T00:59:00.004-04:00

The Real Housewives of Atlanta 9/17/09 Recap:
Sheree said "I have the body of a hot 25 year old". Well, thats amazing since, I'm sure we all agree, if Sheree isn't 46 then she's 50! What was up with her hair at the alter ego party anyway?
Is NeNe's real name Nelson? The fact that she initiated the idea of the cast participating in an alter ego photo shoot is quite ironic since she is about the most two-faced person on TV these days.
Who sniffed raw sugar and told Dwight that he is the Queen of fashion and/or style? He mocked Lisa's Closet Freak fashion show, and offered his expertise to Sheree for her upcoming SHE by Sheree premier. He needs to get somewhere and sit down!
At the alter ego unveiling, on her way to smoke a cigarette, Kim missed a step in her Dolce and Gabbana's and fell face-first down the stairs. Yet, she remained at the party, bloody and bruised, with a swolen ankle. Kim should have been "Tardy For the Party" and gone to the ER.
Kandi helped Kim record her debut single "Don't Be Tardy For The Party". Is it just me, or is Kandi just too talented and descent to be in such poor company?
Lisa and NeNe are BFF's for now.
Well that about sums it up! A Hot Mess as usual.

Hammer Time?

2009-09-17T01:53:00.003-04:00

CoCo Chanel said "Fashion fades, only style remains the same".

If this is true, then why do I feel uncomfortable, slightly embarassed, guilty even, over the fact that I have spent the Spring and Summer obsessing over harem pants?

When first I noticed the trend, I winced. Expertly styled runway models look tres chic in these baggy trousers. But, I remain scarred by visions of a shirtless MC Hammer in a cropped jacket and pants with a knee-length crotch.

Try as I may, I can't shake my desire. There are impressive versions of this throwback for every budget. If only I could commit...

Helmut Lang, $295 BCBG, $88

Booties on a Budget

2009-09-16T13:27:00.003-04:00

"Top Shelf" by UNLISTED: A Kennith Cole Production $55

Jamison Scrunch Bootie, Payless, $26.99

This is just one of the peep-toe styles that I'm diggin on this Fall. How cute would either of these options be with bold colored tights and a pencil skirt? Or harem pants? Speaking of harem pants, I've got to find some! To be continued....

Bye Bye Big Blue Bus!

2009-09-16T00:22:00.005-04:00

I am happy to share that today Hubby did something good for the environment, neighborhood property values, and our pocketbook. After months, no--at least a year, of nagging, whining, hint-dropping and flat out hell raising, the Big Blue Bus is finally gone.

We purchased the monstrosity about three years ago, to facilitate a business venture. The 1999 Twilight Blue Chevy Astro Van was nicknamed the "Serial Killer Van" by my 13 year old daughter and her neighborhood friends. The van cost $1000 and was driven for 2 years and +/- 200,000 miles. That being said the Big Blue Bus served it's purpose like a champ. And, now it is out of my driveway and off to the junkyard to be chopped up, melted down, and otherwise recycled! At present, I'm lobbying for the funds to be applied to my Fall wardrobe spruce up. Stay tuned...

Dinner for 6 for $12. I'm a bad MamaJama!

2009-09-15T12:18:00.000-04:00

One of the highlights of this past weekend, for me and my family, was a trip to one of my favorite ATL places--The Buford Hwy International Farmer's Market. Heaven!

First of all, it is free, safe entertainment for the kids. They love looking at the live fish, crab and lobsters. On every trip, my two-year-old stares in amazement at the cases of fresh fish; pointing out their eyes and the array of sizes and colors. And what kid, and their parent(s), wouldn't enjoy free samples of everything from fresh fruit, to sushi, to fresh fried pork skins and baked goods.

Like a mini-vacay, we get our fill of the sights, sounds and smells of countless foreign cultures. The International Farmer's Market also gives my, husband and I, the opportunity to collaboratively plan our meals while shopping.

On every trip, Hubby picks up one odd tropical piece of produce or another, familiar to him from his West African homeland, and says "Baby, I'm gonna show you how to make something delicious with this". This week's choice was guava, which he simply sliced and lightly sprinkled with salt as an after dinner treat.

Farmer's markets are a thrifty alternative to national chain grocers. I enjoy the variety of fresh, local produce at low prices. I also appreciate the many kinds and cuts of meats available. The guys in the meat department will split, chop, grind or fillet what ever protein I select.

Tonight's dinner menu includes: Citrus & Herb Marinaded chicken, smashed red potatoes and wilted baby bok choy. Yes, it sounds delicious. But the whole meal only costs about $12, and that's Divine.

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken, split
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 bunch fresh parsley

2 tablespoon fresh Tarragon, finely minced

5 sprigs fresh Thyme, leaves only
2 tablespoons fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh Rosemary, leaves only, finely chopped

4 cloves fresh Garlic, peeled and minced
4 large green onions, chopped

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

Soy Sauce, to taste

Place all of the ingredients into food processor and blend them for about 1 minute. Next, Place the cleaned chicken into a large zip top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Be sure to evenly distribute the mixture over the whole chicken. Place the chicken into the refrigerator. Allow chicken to marinade for 2-24 hours.

Note: I typically cook my chicken on a charcoal grill until the juice from the thigh runs clear and the skin is brown and crisp. I have oven roasted chicken using this same recipe with, great results. Just make sure to place the chicken on a rack otherwise it will steam in it's own juices instead of roasting.

Baby Bok Choy is a kind of cabbage, rather common in Asian cooking. The taste is that of a mild spinach with the crunch of ordinary cabbage. It is delicious and inexpensive; and could not be more simple to prepare.

Simply cut the bottoms off. Separate the leaves. Rinse well. Strain. Saute the clean leaves in a hot pan, with butter. Salt to taste.

2009-09-14T19:05:00.000-04:00

Is it just me, or has Payless stepped thier game way up? alice + olive for Payless. Bejeweled peep-toe boot $49.99, Extra large hobo $29.99. It's enough to give a Recessionista goose bumps.

Hello!

2009-09-14T14:40:00.000-04:00

Hello Blogasphere!
I am Davadivine. This is the first entry in what I hope will become an entertaining, informative and therapeutic addition to your daily on-line activity. Through this blog, I will share the triumphs and challenges of motherhood, marriage, household organization, entrepreneurship, fashion addiction, frugal living, cooking and cuisine, faith and family.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on any of the categories previously mentioned! But I defer to a Yoruba proverb that says "When you learn, teach. When you get, give".
That just about sums up my mission. This will be fun! Tell a friend....