I'm Bizzack

It has been a hott minute since I've posted and since today is the last day of the month I'll leave you with a few pics of whats been going on...

*I moved

*My lil sister visited

*Discovered a farmer's market

*Went to Miami 

B-Day 2K11

Today marks another milestone in my life. I've actually reached the last year of my 20s (OMG, I can't believe I actually just typed that). I can't even remember where I thought I'd be when I was 20 thinking about 29. What I will say is I am blessed to still be here and able to live my life like its golden. This year is actually on of the BEST Birthday's I've had. I can honestly say that I have a couple good friends here (unlike past years) where I could have 'planned' something but with me moving that did not happen.

I feel like this last year in my 20s I wanna live it to the fullest. There are a few things that I think are 'age-appropriate' for a 20- something-year-old that I'd still like to do. For instance I really want a piercing. I love the whole lip ring, but somehow I could see that interfering with a 'sudden' career change.  I've NEVER wanted a nose ring but for the past few months I've become infatuated with hoop nose rings. Now I'm not 100% but I am about 95 and a half!!! Funny thing is... I've never wanted a piercing other than my old az belly ring. I guess as random as I am, one day I just wake up and want to be natural, or want a piercing, or better yet... wake up and I'm 29. Now there are a few more things that I want to do that can't be disclosed on this blog (lol) but I still have time for that hopefully!!! I really want to get a few of my friends together and go zip-lining. I'd even go sky-diving.

Saturday
Although my birthday weekend wasn't that adventurous, I did go check out Bridesmaids.  I LOVED it, a total chick flick, yet good enough that the guys can't contain themselves. I also did a lot of dining out. First stop was Cheesecake Factory. Normally, that place gets on my nerves... think, been-there-done-that. However the food was GREAT as always. Unfortunately, our waitress had halitosis in the worse way. I did a bit of shopping and had a fabulous tea from one of my FAV places (more on that later).

Sunday
I also went out to eat at Guapos. The food was GROSS!!! But I LOVED the atmosphere. They had a band and I am a sucker for any type of live music. My friend also told the waitress that it was my Bday so the waiters came out and scared/surprised me.

Today (my actual born day)
My co-workers had gifts awaiting me once I arrived (late) at work.I'm super happy to work with people that know you. I always feel like you should get people what they want. And if you're not sure then go the gift card route. Later in the day I was surprised with cupcakes. If any of you slightly know me then you know I am a total cupcake connoisseur. I think my new FAV flavor is cookies and cream. Something about that cream cheese. To top my night off I went out to eat yet again at a new could be FAV local seafood restaurant.

Well my Bday has officially come to an end but you'll definitely see me living this year to the absolute fullest, long as my money ain't funny and change ain't strange. I attached the video above because it is my FAV song to get me in my Bday mood!!! Can't forget to thank my friends and family that helped me enjoy my special day. Please know that the BIG 3-0 will be on and poppin (hopefully ATL style)!!!

Reality Check- Basketball Wives

So I’ve tuned in yet again, to another season of Basketball Wives. There was a part of me that didn’t want to do it because of the negative portrayal of black women. However, being a self-proclaimed reality show addict, my addiction won. Of course the ‘day after’ talk in the black community starts with the happenings from the previous show.


In case you missed last night’s show it ended as any other with… drama. Here it is in a nutshell. Susie has apologized after being a battered puppy dog last season and now she wants Royce to make amends to get back in the circle. Neka meets with Shaunie to find out if she said what she said but doesn’t remember what she said to know if she said it (did you all follow me). Evelyn and Chad go and visit the doctor for invitro. Royce agrees and meets up with Jennifer and Evelyn to ‘discuss’ what happens and all hell breaks loose. Tammi wasn’t focused on last night.



Ok, so now that I’ve brought you up to speed, the conversation this morning starts with my co-worker stating that he dislikes Royce because she’s such a drama queen. Now to me I can’t really hold any of them higher than the next. Shaunie is the pimp in my book and strategically and successfully orchestrates what will happen in order to keep the ratings high. Evelyn ALWAYS has to be the ‘bad ass’ get loud and act like she is just running sh*t. Jennifer feeds off Evelyn, so look to Evelyn to determine her attitude. Susie ran her mouth too much (drama ensued). Neka is just trying to get in with the fit in (I’m sure it’ll all blow up soon). Tammi really only pops off if there is a reason, but when she does it’s crazy. Royce has been treated as the underdog, has-no-right-to-a-basketball-player cause she’s a dancer and defends herself … drama. So in the shows little chain of characters, you see that each one of them have and will play a vital role in being a drama queen at any given time.

I am still wondering why they have a show, considering none of them are current basketball wives. What I mean by current is… your husband (meaning that you are already legally married) is currently playing in the NBA. Yes, that makes a huge difference. When your husband is playing you are in the spotlight because he is. These chicks are just trying to stay relevant, hence the show. I think it should be renamed to either Has Been Basketball Wives, Trying to be a Basketball Wife, and Basketball Jumpoffs.

As I was listening to the Russ Parr morning show a listener provided a tweet that sums the women up perfectly. The women on Basketball Wives are basketball groupies in search of their identities as adults. I say I’d have to agree with the viewer completely.

I’d like to say that I won’t be tuned in next week but like a fiend, it keeps calling me. My hopes are that the ish hits the fan with Neka. I am totally not feeling her. Not sure of her age, but when your’re of age to be a grown woman there’s no need to try and fit into a clique. What's up with all of these meetings she keeps having with everyone? She is simply trying too hard.

Until the next Reality Check, I'm out...

Giveaway Time: BVLD Online

I have Exciting News over here. A company bLVD recently partnered with me and sent a couple of pieces of clothing to review. The company www.shopbvdonline.com caters to young, fashion forward women. Check out the video so that you can see the items that were sent to me. As stated on the video, I’m only showing the items because I wouldn’t wear them together but I’ll definitely do an outfit of the day on a later vlog.


BLVD is actually sponsoring a contest for all of my subscribers. The contest actually starts today and will run until the 15th (6/1-6/15). All you have to do to win, is to subscribe to my channel AKAkristin. Easy enough right? But there is also an additional way to win, follow BVD on Twitter @Shop_bLVD. After you follow them, you have to send them a message with my channel name AKAkristin.

You’re probably wondering what you’ll win right? Well the prize is a detailed, coral and white floral clutch wallet with a removable checkbook holder.

It's really cute, wish I could win as well!!! I have even more good news, you all can also get 25% off on shoes thru the duration of the contest. All you have to do is enter the discount code KRISTINBLVDSHOES. I’m very excited to work with this company and look forward to working with them in the future.

All The Single Ladies

Last night I was up until 2am watching the cameo of Single Ladies with Lisa Raye, Stacey Dash, and . Last night was a 2 hour special and I wasn’t prepared to stay up until 2am but I did. Let me just say, right from the start of the show the drama popped off. There were cameos from Eve, Kim Porter, Common., Kandi, Lauren Londen, and several other ATL elites. What I was most impressed with is the fact that the show tackled real issues that most of us single women are dealing with, have dealt with, and won’t EVER deal with again.


If you missed it, the show started by someone stating that a man knows within 20 minutes or so (from the initial contact) if he’s going to marry a woman. Someone then makes a comment as to why Val (Stacy Dash) and her beau aren’t married since they’ve been together for 5 years. And guess what, dude tries to downplay the reason they aren’t married. The story line skipped to 3 months later and guess what, her former beau was engaged (in unison, ain’t-that-a-b*tch). Now you all know that I got in my feelings a bit about that because I wrote a previous post on it. Long story short, after she finds out about the engagement, she ends up having an immediate fling with some random dude. The she tries to get closure with the previous beau and he has I-feel-sorry-for-you sex with her. Now for those of you that haven’t actually watched the show and are following from my recap, remember this is the #nojudgement zone. I may not have participated in both of her actions but definitely one. The messed up part was that after her rendezvous she thought she was pregnant and had no clue who the baby daddy was (chant with me now, Maury, Maury).

Now let’s move on to the next character, April. She’s a cute blonde chick married for a number of years to a black guy. You can tell that April’s husband is in LOVE with her and guess what, she’s cheating. She’s not undercover cheating, yet, all out in the open cheating with a high profile man (the Mayor). She tries to downplay their fling but you can tell that she’s really into him. Her husband expresses that he’s ready to have a child and she tells him maybe in a couple of years. She’s also lied to her husband and used her friends to cover although she didn’t let them in on the actual lie. In the end, the Mayor is actually involved in a scandal with a white woman but (luckily) it wasn’t ApriI. I’m all for equal opportunity, but I hate when a person won’t date the race that they are for whatever reason. There are a**holes in every ethnicity/culture as there are sweethearts #choosewisely. Ok, I digress, but it had to be said!!!

The last main character is Keisha's (Lisa Raye) character that’s a video vixen. As always she plays her regular character (again) a sassy-mouthed stereotypical black woman. It seemed like everyone else’s issue was brought to light except Lisa Raye. In her early years as a video vixen she was also a thief, and on this episode she was being blackmailed for it. I can’t wait to actually see what happens to her next week since she recently stole an item (unbeknowingly) from a guy she’s seeing.

Now I know that some people thought that the acting was a bit off, mainly due to Stacy Dash. For me she always appears transparent as if she doesn’t have any depth, in regard to actually being ‘in character’. I honestly can’t wait to see what’s in store next season and see how on pint the writers are with a real single woman’s life.

What were your thoughts on the show?

I Got, I Got, I Got

Sooo last Monday I received my new 'pride and joy' the lovely iPad 2. As you all know I really wanted it. I went back and forth in my mind trying to justify the large purchase but I had a couple of fund$ set aside to make the purchase so I finally did. I also wanted to do it before a certain date because my bank recently stopped us from accruing points with debit card purchases (that sucks I was racking up). Let me just say this order totally screwed with my head. I would check my order status almost daily because Apple gave me a 2-3 week window. And of course I wanted it to come within the 2 weeks, but that was clearly another story.

But of course when I got it, it was pure excitement. Well kinda... due to all of the waiting I was kinda out of it. Last Monday was such a busy day for me that I almost left it in the trunk of my car LoL!!! What I'll say is that if you are debating on a net book or any other type of tablet, Apple is definitely the way to go. Ok, I know you all are saying it is sooo expensive. Yes, I can't lie they are. But when it comes to Apple, they're synonymous with Quality. What that actually means for me/you/us (the consumer), is that we'll have a high resell value if we ever decide to sell (and you know we will sell cause another version will be out tomorrow, LoL).

Sooo I bet you're wondering exactly which model did I purchase. I actually got the White 16gb with Verizon. The reason why I chose the white is because my Macbook is white so I wanted to make it a lil baby (lame, I know). I know that I could have saved a lot of fund$ by choosing the wi-fi only, but I actually look at this as a replacement... well alternative to my actual computer. I stopped traveling with my Macbook a long time ago but at times I still need to use a computer at my own leisure when I'm away from home. This provides all that and more for me. I also did a bit of comparison with the data plans with AT&T as well as Verizon. I chose Verizon because they're coverage area is broader. Keep in mind this not only acts as a mini computer but you can even get a car mount and use it as a GPS, or play movies for the kiddos (in my case Lyric). I also like the fact that I can run the Nook or Kindle app and have books on the go. I already downloaded the main book... the B-I-B-L-E (yes that's the book for me). Kool thing about the bible app is that they even have an offline app. I haven't yet started my data plan (cause I'm fine using wi-fi for now) but I really wanted to use my Bible app at church and was happy to find the off-line version. That means that they allow you to read the bible without a data connection #superkool!!!

Now you know as a proud parent I had to hurry up and clothe this baby. And of course I chose leopard print. I actually saw several other cases that I wanted, specifically Hello Kitty. But I needed something soon-and-very-soon so I purchased this one from Target for $16.99. It's cute and it does the job of protecting it until I sale (LoL). The only thing about this case is I have to take it out to do Face Time (unfortunately I have no one to do that with). I will post a more in depth review on my YouTube page as soon as I can.

Just in case you all are thinking about purchasing the Ipad 2, I say to do so from the Apple store or from http://www.apple.com/. My reason for saying so is that many other retailers have blind shipment (meaning the don't know the exact number their getting in) or they have a first-come-first-serve policy. A friend of mine ordered her's from Bestbuy and was told the same thing about the 2-3 week hold. Let's just say she canceled and ended up placing a new order with Apple. If you choose to go through a retailer (for whatever reason, you may have a store card) know that you can purchase accessories at a fraction of the cost from an online retailer. I plan on purchasing additional accessories from http://www.accessoriesofapple.com/. I also want to get a new Ipad docking station/stereo and the one I have in mind is by iluv. Trust me I've done the research and this thing is AWESOME.

If you all are current owners of the iPad or iPad 2 please let me know what are some of your favorite apps. I'm really interested in trying the dating app on iPhone and iPad for only iPad and iPhone users. I'll let ya know if I decide to spend 99 cents on it #POW!!!

P.S- I need a name for my new baby let me know what you have in mind?

What God Has For Me, It Is For Me

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed? I'm sure you have, I think it's safe to say that we've all experienced a day (or more) like this. Let me be the first to tell you today was that day for me. And it all started with a dream. If you're an avid reader of my blog (and you should be) you've heard me recount dreams before. Well this dream involved Mr. Y. Yes, the infamous Mr. Y aka AS*hole. Just to give you a lil background story I saw a FB status that had his name on Sunday and it made me feel some type of way. Granted, I haven't spoke to him since October, yet seeing his name made me cringe to the point that I had to send my bff a text and basically vent. Honestly the FB status wasn't really anything. It's just for me outta sight outta mind. And although I didn't actually see him physically the mere mention of his name said he still exist; in the world and maybe a piece of my feelings since I was sooo thrown off by it. Okay, let me bring it back lol. I woke up this morning and realized that I dreamed of Mr. Y and I was heated. In the dream he stated that he was marrying an ex that he had proposed to previously. I am not sure if any of that is true because I don't have a 'street committee' in the area that I used to live in. I'm also not interested in finding out any other information concerning who he's marrying and when they are getting married.

I feel like if there was an Godervention (think intervention) then I may have been upset for the entire day. The first song that spoke to me was by Beverly Crawford- It's About Time for a Miracle. Now that particular song spoke because usually when I'm having a bad moment at work I stop and take a praise break and it really puts me in a better mood. for me it was Jesus saying snap out of it. It kinda loosened me up a bit. Now if you've ever heard the song then you know exactly what I'm speaking about. This particular song makes me want to be C.O.G.I.C. I swear I want to get out my car and do my own lil 2 step for the Lord.

Next, as if God was a passenger in my car Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence came on. This was confirmation that HE was right there with me and although these feelings may be small to anyone else he knew my heart and exactly where I was coming from. This particular song took me over the edge because right in the midst of Mr. Y and my issues I would always play this song. I mean right at the epicenter of my hurt and pain this was the song that I continued to listen to over and over. I mean this song really brought me out of a dark place and it came on. Honestly that right there kinda took my mind off of the situation.

I text'd my bff and told her about the dream and she suggested that I contact him because there are clearly unresolved issues. In my mind there may be... with me but clearly he has already moved on. And also, what would the convo be like, 'so I heard you're engaged/married'. There is really no where to go from there, because it is what it is and after the convo ends he'll still be engaged/married.

I can't lie to you, I beat myself up (I'm super, super hard on myself). I started thinking about past relationships in which I felt like I set the dude up for the next chick. It was only until later in the day that I decided to listen to Beverly Crawford again (the song mentioned above). I just wanted to hear it cause t really gets me crunk. Well somewhere after the many clicks on youtube another song on the sidebar spoke to me. That's the video that I embedded. This song speaks to me overall. Sooo many times I/we get caught up in the 'haves' as well as the 'have nots' that we forget that God is still in control of each and every situation in our lives. I often say that I got everything I wanted exactly when I needed it. Not to make it seem as if God is some type of genie in a bottle because he certainly isn't to me. What I'm trying to say is that when I look back over my life he has always provided. At the end of the day, whatever (or whoever) I'm supposed to have I'll have, why, cause it's for me.

I did something I've NEVER done before...

Over the weekend I did something that I’ve NEVER done before… I went to the movies by myself. Since moving to Va. I’ve become sooo independent. I usually go out to eat by myself all the time but I’ve NEVER gone to the movies alone. If you follow me on Twitter, then you know how hype I’ve been over the movie Rio. As soon as I saw the previews with the enticing colors and music, I knew I had to see it. I am totally a big kid at heart when it comes to cartoons. I chose my DirectTV package based on the Boomerang channel.  When I started college my undergraduate major was early childhood education (before I changed it) and what I enjoyed most was the color and creativity. So you can see why I just had to get out and see the movie, even if that meant going alone.

The movie was sooo sweet, in the end a true love story. There was also a lot of humor for kids and adults too. There were music was awesome there were selections by Jaime Foxx, will.i.am, Taio Cruz, Este Dean, and many more. Some of the songs made me want to create a Zumba routine, LoL!!! My FAV part or thing about the movie is that there were so many women and men with natural hair. Once they arrived in Rio there was a woman on the beach with an afro puff so you know I was super excited!!! And one of the bad guys had dreds too. My only wish is that I were able to enjoy the movie with my favorite kid. If you all haven't seen it, it's such a great movie to see (especially if you're a big kid like me)!!! After seeing this movie I definitely want to vacation next year in beautiful Rio de Janeiro (on to look for a payment plan, LoL).

I'll Be Missing You

Last night (I should say this morning around 1ish) I was very emotional. I felt like I was missing something, not sure if it was my moma but just missing something. Fast forward to later on today and I realized (thanks to cuzzo's FB) that today is the 6 year anniversary of my Granddaddy's death. I'm not sure if I've ever spoke about this on my blog or not but #Godeeper. When my Granddaddy passed it was a Tuesday morning, I was away in college so I forgot who called to tell me, but that was the day when I lost a piece of me. I actually knew a couple of weeks that he was going to pass but I just didn't know when. I remember being at home the Sunday prior to his death and even though he wasn't feeling well he was still trying to take care of me. He had already given me gas money but he called me again to give me some extra money. As I think about my grandaddy I see so many characteristics of him that I'd like my future husband to have:

* Honest
* Hardworking
* Family oriented
* God-fearing
* Loving
* Giving
* A real man
* Fair

I learned sooo much on how a woman should be treated through his grandaddy's actions as well as his response to my boyfriends. Although I wasn't my grandaddy's biological child I always knew I had a special place in his heart. He even told my line sister that I was his granddaughter, but he thought of me as his child. Every time I think of that story I get super emotional.

I'll be the first to tell you that after my grandaddy passed I was an emotional wreck. The following weeks were more than enough proof that I needed grief counseling (still do). It was the first death in  my immediate family that I'd encountered as an adult. Devastated doesn't come close to the overwhelming amount of emotions I experienced. I was trying my best to hold it together for everyone else, all along, losing it on the inside. To this day I have trouble being at my house (grandparents house) alone and I definitely can't stay overnight by myself.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to have one last day to savor with ALL of my family. I know that I have tangible memories but its #notthesame. Because I LOVE and miss my grandaddy sooo much I've vowed to name my #future son after him.

52 Week Savings Update 5

So I totally missed the mark in regard to posting about the 52 week challenge for update 5. Let me be the first to tell ya THIS IS HARD (yes that's me yelling)!!! What I was told once is that you should pay yourself first. For me this should be quite easy considering that I have two jobs and technically means I get paid every week. However this is definitely a challenge. I think next week I'm going to withdraw the set amount I need first (AKA before shopping) and put in my 52 Week savings account.

I honestly have no issue with you all following this blog to hold me accountable (trust me, I need this)!!! As for this week, on April the 11th (my lil sister b-day), the amount that we all are supposed to have is (drum roll please) $276.00 that translates to $23 for this week. Let's just say ya girl is s-h-o-r-t!!! On a brighter note I did open up an additional savings account for this challenge and at the end of the month $25 automatically transfers over however I'm only at $195 (you do the math since I'm not good at it). Actyally, I just did the math (on my calculator of course), I'm $81 short. Not too bad, huh? Not sure how I'm going to catch up since I'm moving and finally have an Ipad 2 on the way (can you say priorities). Long story short, I could hold off on that pair of Tom's I wanna order sooo freak'n bad!!! All in all I want to have exactly what I need to correlate with the amount for April 25th (the next time I post).

                                  I would like to end this post with a special

 17th Birthday shout-out to the BEST, PRETTIEST, MOST STYLISH sister in the world

                                            HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAMILLE LOVE YA!!!

                                                 Kamille and I last year when she turned 16

                                                  Can you tell... I really LOVE my sister!!!