DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK

Hello all!!! It has indeed been a minute since I last posted. I have been working on a really big project that has really taken up all of my time. I will be able to share it with you soon!!! In addition to not blogging, my personal life looked like that of a 17th century Lutheran monk - NOT CUTE!!!!

But if there was anything or anyone that could force my hand to get all back up in throughout here, it is the FIRST LADY, MRS. MICHELLE OBAMA. The Obamas have been on their European tour and Michelle has made quite a buzz with her wardrobe. I love that Michelle has been such a staunch supporter of American fashion (Where are the black designers though? If we get a black Attorney general, can't we have a black designer's dress on the first lady?! I am sure she understands the importance), but her mix of European designers has been refreshing. I love that she is doing her and to hell with the naysayers. The Moschino bow blouse got mixed reviews, but I think it was representative of the joy and optimism that she represents - classic fabric, exuberant expression!!!!! I even noticed that mother's hair and makeup have enjoyed a fierce upgrade. Honey, that 'do and face beat are working!!!!! She is looking more gorgeous than ever.

Above are my faves from the trip. And, I have to tell you that hands down, Michelle's BEST look of all time is the Azzedine Alaia knit dress. GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The gorgeously toned arms, the bare legs, the high heel and the sheer simplicity/complexity of the dress adds up to one thing - FIERCE. A first lady wearing Alaia - how bleeping modern can you get?!?!? Work girl!!!

OBAMA FEVER

From my lovely friend Mira aus Duestchland (from Germany):

I bought the magazin "Der Spiegel" yesterday (see attachment) =)The title says "Obama's best man" (=Michelle) =))) and below "Changeover of power in the US:The (president) couple and their vision for a better world"It's a positive article. The Germans love them =)))

Looks like the Germans have caught the fever too!!! Let's just pray that this whole Rick Warren thing is part of some covert, big-picture plan. This has been his only major misstep in my opinion, but I am trying to trust that he knows what he is doing. He is a big picture kinda guy and I think his heart is in the right place, so let's just see how this plays out down the line. In any case, it seems as if the entire world is ready for this amazing black man to step into the role of 'The Most Powerful Man In The World'. Michelle is going to be the greatest First Lady since the Carter era (yes, Rosalynn Carter is one of the greatest First Ladies, along with Jackie, Hillary, Eleanor and Dolley Madison). I hope she follows her heart and avoids the pitfalls of following the whims and desires of the media who ultimately do not have her interest at heart (their interest is in selling stories and they are conditioned to always go for the negative, so Michelle, honey, watch 'em girl!).

My prayers and my heart are with Barack and his 'best man'!

GRATITUDE

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DESIGNER DREAMS

My friends and I just had a very important conversation...one that is of the utmost importance. That question is which designer Michelle Obama should align herself with going forward. Yes, we are facing a meltdown of the American auto industry, a deep world recession and unprecedented unemployment. But, we do need a little levity and there is always a place for creativity and self expression. When one looks and feels confident and in charge, other's perception of them could shift in their favor.

It was always assumed that Michelle will have to focus on American designers to show her patriotism. My friends and I had tossed about Oscar de la Renta (too associated with Republicans), her current designer du jour, Maria Pinto (good, but not high profile enough in my book) and Carolina Herrera (sometimes too nondescript) but we sort of had a consensus with DONNA KARAN.

Donna happens to be one of MY ALL TIME FAVORITE DESIGNERS and one of the biggest influences on my aesthetic. I had been saying for so long that Donna needs to get her hands on Michelle's curves. Donna 'gets' her body type and would be able to work wonders with her. I see Michelle in Donna's jerseys, her double crepes and double faces, all topped off with a double face cashmere coat - I'm getting goose bumps. I do not see her in all that drapey, esoteric stuff from this coming Spring 09 season, though. Go for sensual, sculpturally tailored hand of Donna which was not on the runway, but will probably be in the stores. Or, hit the archives for inspiration from this stellar collection from Spring 1995:

And then, by golly, I open up WWD online this morning and Mother Karan is putting her designer pitch out there:

WWD - DONNA’S DREAM TICKET: Donna Karan would like to be part of the Obama transition team — apparel division. During a visit to Los Angeles this week to open her latest Urban Zen wellness and retail outpost, the designer said she would jump at the chance to dress the future first lady, Michelle Obama. “I think [Obama] would be divine — she has so much of her own style, I would love to dress her,” Karan said. “It’s not about her clothes, it’s really about who she is, and her passion for children, culture and wellness. I’m hoping to get to work with them — it would be my dream. They are so committed to ideals that are much in alignment with mine.”

I sincerely hope she takes her up on her offer - it would truly be MAJOR. Michelle really is the embodiment of Donna's whole strong, feminine, sensual, assertive and modern woman. This could be a match made in fashion heaven.

WE DID IT!!!!!

PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!

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My vote!!!!!

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My 2 hour wait was well worth it!!!
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I cannot begin to tell you the overwhelming feeling of joy and hope that I am feeling right now. I am so happy that we have chosen a great man to be our next president. I truly believe that this man will usher in a new era. I believe that America and the world are ready for this change. I am so excited to see him in action because I really believe he is special. I have always said that this election could really be the turning point for the direction that the world goes - it could be positive and progressive with Barack or it could be worse than Bush with McCain/Palin.

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Josh and Aaron at volunteering at NE Philly office.

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Our NYC crew - Paul, Colleen, Jen, Esma and me (Josh is taking the pic!).

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Working the phone banks.
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One of the most amazing things that has come about because of Barack's amazing run is the UNITY of so many different people. I just returned from volunteering in Philly where I saw hundreds of volunteers coming together for the task at hand. We were literally a mini United Nations at work. We were old, young, middle age, black, white, Asian, Indian, Latin, bi-racial, fat, skinny, short, tall, gay, straight, married, single, hitched, Christian, Muslim, atheist, Catholic and every combination of the above. There were immigrants who could vote and immigrants who could not vote. There were high school kids who couldn't vote but wanted to do their part. The hard work and organization of all of these people was so enlightening and inspiring. When I see pics of the celebrations of this historic win from the streets of America and around the world, I get so excited because, finally, people get it. There was a desire and need, spoken and unspoken, and Barack will be the catalyst to fulfill that need.

I am so proud of him as a black man. I would have supported this man if he were purple, but the fact that he is black touches a special place in my heart. Many blacks had completely given up on politics and believed that their voice did not count. Barack has inspired these people to get involved, to participate and to believe again that the struggles of our forefathers would pay off. Seeing Barack with his BEAUTIFUL family - his gorgeous wife and adorable daughters - means more than you know to little black children and teens. To see themselves in the Whitehouse will inspire a generation of black kids to excel like never before.

The Obama family will also inspire a new sense of style in America. They are such a photogenic, young and modern family and the days of stuffy old lady suits is gone. Barack's cool, calm and collected demeanor and Michelle's amazing grace, eloquence and strength will be a breath of fresh air for the world. As a purveyor of style, I do go to the aesthetics of it all too. I cannot wait to see Michelle in action as the First Lady - she will be the greatest since Rosalyn Carter and Jackie Kennedy. I am waiting for the first meeting of First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Now that is going to be FIERCE!!!!!

The Obama kids are so gorgeous and I see them developing into a real stunning, poised and influential young ladies. I doubt we will have the drunk driving, partying and drugs of past first kids.

DOING MY PART

Hey guys,

I am off to Philadelphia for 2 days to canvass for the Obama Campaign for Change. Our initiative over the next few days is called GOTV - Get Out The Vote. This campaign has inspired me in ways like no other campaign in history. I have sent money, bought products and given time and cell phone minutes. I have donated because I truly believe in Barack Obama's message. I have the feeling that I will be participating in and contributing to a great time in American and world history. I have friends and acquaintances who will also be going down to help out. Jeffrey, Joshua and Richard will also be hitting the streets to remind people to vote and to make sure they know what to take to the polls on Tuesday.

I come back Monday night for class and then on Tuesday morning.......drumroll......I GO CAST MY VOTE FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - MR. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!! For the past 2 years, I have been dreaming of the day that I pull that big metal lever. I will leave the polls and go directly to a phone bank to continue the drive to get people out to the polls.

I sincerely hope that you guys all get out and cast your ballot to change the course that our country is on right now. We cannot allow this to slip through our hands. Barack's win will be our win. We will then have the proof that HOPE is real and that by hoping and through action, we can truly make our dreams come true. This will only be the beginning. My next post will be a celebration of A HISTORY MAKING VOTE!!!

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS

I guess I wanted to think more highly of Americans, but some of them never cease to amaze me.

I have a prayer:

"Dear God, please do not ever let me be so full of hatred, spite, ignorance and arrogance that I start to embrace and spew lies about someone else who has nothing to do with the lies I am pilfering. Please let me realize that the hatred I have is actually hatred for myself - hatred for the ignorance, fear, laziness and rigidity that I hold on to because I do not want to face my own truth. Amen."

BUST A MOVE, BOO

Just adorable!

GLOBAL OBAMA-MANIA

It seems that Obama's impact and influence touches our brothers and sisters everywhere around the globe. I think the world clearly sees that an Obama American presidency will be better for America and for the world. Our shamanic brothers in Peru think so, too.

I love this clip because I do believe that there are some people in the world who are more in touch with the spiritual world than others. I think a deep spiritual connection is probably untapped in most humans, but some have crossed that barrier and connect through shamanic rituals, some do it through speaking in tongues and some go into deep meditative states. Child, whatever gets you there!

I also believe that this connection can be made with people of all religions. I DO NOT discriminate over religion and believe that God speaks to people in a way that works for them in their culture and in their environment and in their life and it is NOT for me to decide for them. Christianity works for me, but Judaism or Buddhism or ancient shamanic practices may work for others, depending on that person's life. After all, spiritual connection is PERSONAL. I also believe that there are many lessons from different religions from which ALL can learn. There are many lessons of Taoism, Islam, Buddhism and of course Christianity that I look to incorporate into my life. That doesn't in anyway take away from my Christianity, it enhances it. It is pure ignorance, arrogance and close mindedness that makes people believe that God can only be viewed in a singular expression. God is not an exclusive God, he is INCLUSIVE!

Honey, when that man shakes the red skull at Johnny Mack, I go in, baby!!!