Do Something FUN!

If you're interested in getting out, meeting new people, and trying new things, then you should definitely check out the Ticket America website to look up scheduled concerts, sporting events, plays, or musicals in your area! You can search for tickets by subcategories (music genre/sport/type of theater performance) and performers. The site is super easy to navigate, and even easier to use! And if you're not quite sure what you would like to do, Ticket America offers a side bar of all the "Hot Events" to check out. So go for it! Enjoy a night out with a family member or a friend, and just DO SOMETHING FUN!

As always,

Love,
Gem

P.S. - Are you or someone you know a fan of college sports? Then definitely check out Ticket America!

Arizona State Sun Devils Tickets:
arizona ​state su​n devils​ tickets​

coolspotters.com

Arizona Wildcats Tickets:

arizona ​wildcats​ tickets​

inquisitr.com

Arkansas Razorbacks Tickets:
arkansas razorbacks tickets

100pctangel.com

Questions? Call Ticket America: (800) 842-9750

Essence, August 2012 Issue: YBA

I have never felt more motivated, more inspired, or more in control of my life until I opened up the August 2012 issue of Essence magazine. Literally, from cover to cover, there is something for the (aspiring) YBAs of our generation.

What does it mean to be YBA? It means to be YOUNG, BLACK, & AMAZING. It means to inspire and be inspired. It means to set goals and work toward a future. It means to be uniquely and originally YOU. If you are feeling lost, uninspired, or confused about what you want from your future, then reading this issue of Essence magazine will definitely get you out of your funk!

theybf.com

Not only does Nia Long grace the cover, but web sensation Issa Rae is featured in the issue as well! Nia Long is the oh-so fabulous and talented actress who has starred in films, such as Love Jones (1997), The Best Man (1999), and Are We There Yet? (2005). Issa Rae is the creator and star of The MisAdventures of Awkward Black Girl, a Internet web-series and a YouTube sensation.

kuchuments.blogspot.com

If you are not subscribed to Essence magazine, then go to their website at Essence.com and subscribe now!

Love,

Gem

Trend or Tragedy?

In the beginning, I wasn't a big fan of the ombre/dip-dye fashion trend, but I am slowly warming up to the style. However, I have always loved fringe! From the Minnetonka moccasin boots to DIY fringe tees, they are just fabulous! I've embedded pics/links to some of the styles, but if you're on a small budget, then check out TheNotoriousKIA's youtube channel for some fashion savvy DIYs!!

Check out asos.com:

Check out forever21.com:

Check out nastygal.com:

Here's TheNotoriousKIA's video on "DIY Fringe T-Shirt":

Lemme know what you think!

Love,
Gem

Long Time No BLOG

Hey everyone!
Yes, it is true. Sadly, I have been out of blogging commission for a few weeks now. I have always had trouble keeping a tight regimen whether it's with my skincare routine or my diet! For the past few weeks I have been stressing over what it is that I am going to do regarding my living situation in New York in the fall. True, stress can bring about some great inspiration for SOME writers. But for me, not so much. Now that that problem is pretty much solved, I would like to get back into the swing of things and WRITE!

Being a creative writer, I have always enjoyed using prompts or exercises to push my creative imagination to another level. What about you? How do you get to a place where your writing is completely original and solely spontaneous? If you want to try something a little different, then check out the prompt below and post your response in the comment section! I would love to hear how it went for you or even see the result!

Good luck!

Love,
Gem

PROMPT:

a pie must be there on the second tuesday of the chinese new year

Poem: "Clinic"

This is another piece that I wrot for my blog Writing Unafraid.

I don't write to be censored or to tame the fire of a story...I write as honestly as possible...so the people in my writing are manifested as real beings...so that their lives are real, their experiences are real, and that thier hearts are real. I hope the people that read my blog do the same.

Love,
Gem

Clinic

She walked in with her mama at her side
holding her hand.
She was but a child.

A baby not yet ready to have one of her own,
but I knew she wanted to.
I could tell from her puffy red eyes
and the tight grip that her
mother had on her arm.

She wasn't as calm as the girl
across the room
reading Vogue magazine
with her eyes low
and her legs crossed.

It was her mama that didn't want this.
Her daughter was just a child forced to lay her back
down on a dirty mattress
with her eyes closed
and her legs spread.

She blamed herself that her daughter
was left with an absentee father
and with a mother who ignored
her countless cries for help.
She holds her daughter tightly
in fear that she might fall into the reality
that she failed at being her protector.

But what she fails to realize
is that her daughter doesn't care about her guilt,
just about how to get out of this
inner city clinic on the south side of Chicago.

White lady at the desk don't care
about no mommy problems
just about the problem in her belly.
Her hand out impatiently waiting for the credit
card that had no credit
and a smile that had no understanding.

She's just a child,
wanting to be the mother
her mother never was to her,
wanting to have at least one person
in this world who loves her.

Who loves her dark kinky hair,
brown skin,
wide nose,
and brown eyes.

I wanted to reach out to her,
to hold her, to protect her.
I wanted to tell her that
she was beautiful, that her smile was radiant,
that everything would be okay.

But I just sat there,
next to the girl reading Vogue magainze,
holding my own mother's hand.

I was but a child.

 

Poem: "Too Afraid"

This is a piece of poetry that I wrote for my blog Writing Unafriad.

I believe that there is beauty in writing when it is raw and when it is real...I will no longer hide from the night...so as the sun sets and as I stare beyond the skyline...I will write until my heart is contenet...until only my hand aches and my heart is healed...

I love what writing brings me...peace. To all those victims of domestic violence, of rape, of sexual abuse...I pray for you...I pray that one day you can take back the night...that you will live unafraid and that your hearts will be healed.

Too Afraid

I was too afraid to struggle

against his strong black body.

I was too afraid to admit

that what he was doing was wrong.

All I could do was cry.

Black mascara streaks

flowing from the corner of my eyes.

Red thick blood

flowing from the inners of my thighs.

How can I admit that I was a victim?

He was sweet before then,

bought me anything I wanted,

took me to the best restaurants,

and introduced me to his friends.

So whe he invited me over

to his apartment in the Bronx,

I went freely

in the middle of the night,

looking good,

smelling good,

with my hair done right.

So what?

He probably didn't understand

how when I said no I really meant it.

He probably didn't understand

that my cringes at his touch were of fear

and not shivers of pure ecstacy.

He probably didn't understand

how my tears were ones of pain

and not of pleasure.

He probably didn't understand

how my creis for his release

were for his arms and not his

penis.

He probably didn't understand

that the blood that mixed with his semen

was not a sign of virginity

but a sign of destruction.

Somebody please help me,

come on just tell me.

How can I be a victim?

How can I be an added statistic

to the countless unreported rapes?

I can't be...

I'm too afraid to be...

too afraid to admit it to myself,

too afraid to admit that

I am scarred, and buised, and damaged,

too afriad to admit that

what he did was wrong.

He probably just didn't understand.

MMAS : Rockin' the Red Carpet

There were some fashion-do's and some fashion-don'ts out on the red carpet yesterday at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards. One of my favorite looks was Jessica Biel in a Chanel white knit mini dress and Barbara Bui colorblock strappy sandals. I thought it was definitely simple and chic, especially since she accessorized very little with only a bracelet and an engagement ring!

Another savvy fashionista was the MTV Trailblazer Award recipient, Emma Stone. Emma wore a two piece Martin Grant ensemble of a black peplum top and a cream tulip skirt. She paired the look with a nude/black Brian Atwood ankle strap heel. Her make-up was light and natural, and similar to Jessica she used little to no accessories to compliment her look.

Another fab look on the red carpet was Janelle Monae. She stuck to her classic menswear look wearing a two-piece black tuxedo, patent loafers, a black fedora, and a pink lip.

So I guess simple is the new chic? ;)

Tel me what you think of Jessica's,Emma's, and Janelle's looks? Too plain or too perfect?

Voice your opinion!

Love,

Gem