Grammys SHAMMYS!

Let me just say a few things about the Grammys. Keep in mind I didn't watch because... WHY!??!

1. All the GOOD awards were given out before the telecast. Shout out to Chick Corea, Dianne Reeves, Robert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway for their awards.
2. Beck is an artist in every sense of the word. Singer, writer, instrumentalist... ALL of that! "Respect artistry" INDEED!
3. Kanye is out here on his STANLEY for Bey & she couldn't even come to his monsterpiece of a wedding. 
4. Someone mentioned about Beyonce talmbout a billion dollars in the elevator and how she could've sent the elevator down for someone else to come up, namely Ledisi. Someone else mentioned that instead of up Ledisi would've gone out. To which I replied, like the Wonkavator, the elevator would have bypassed Bey in the penthouse & shot through the roof altogether!
5. Beyonce did not bring down na'an' house. I can tell that from the still pics. Ain't no SOUL in there.... you hear me? Ain't. No. Soul.
6. Because there is no soul in there. It does not surprise me that she ASKED to sing a song she had no business singing to be part of something she had no business being in with no regard for disregarding those that had every reason to be on that stage SANGIN!
7. The people that vote for the Grammys get it right sometimes i.e. Beck... but more often than not they get it wrong i.e.  pretty much EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS BROADCAST!
8. I'm not here for none of these folkses. And none of these folkses are here for me... And I'm fine with that. I ain't stannin or fannin out, I'm too old for that & so are most folks commenting on the other side of this.
9. Is it true that Bey ASKED to sing a song that Ledisi had already been acknowledged and applauded for rebirthing, killing, resurrecting, and helping it ascend into the heavens!??! Then Beyonce comes out and is meh to the max wit it? Who ordered the snore pie with yawn sauce?
10. Why can't Kanye & Bey & them go softly into that good night & give us a chance to miss them? You know how long Sade has been without an album? Do you know that BBD hasn't released new music this MILLENNIUM? Do you know that you can go have a seat somewhere and stop trying to shove your awesome down my throat? Because if you have to do that.... How awesome can you be, REALLY!?!?

In conclusion, the televised Grammys are a sham! *bangs gavel*

Also, I realize there is no Part 2 to my Italy blog.... because... life... so... it's coming if you still care.

HOLLA!

Miami Just Keeps Getting Better!! (A PICTURE BLOG)

So the ladies hit South Beach once again this year... and it was even better than last year...

We stayed at the LOVELY Congress Hotel which was actually 4 different buildings.

If you look there at the little middle building you can see the windows of our room! We had the greatest view of the Ocean & the Lummus Park sign!

I knew I was in paradise & it wasn't just my breakfast that made me feel that way:

When we touched down we ate & slinked around Ocean Drive checking out our proximity to all things awesome! They allowed us to check in early & our digs were SO SWEET!

Doesn't it look loverly! That kitchen was all kinds of dopeness! That shower was all kinds of sessy! That bed was all kinds of comfy! WOOP!

We sat in the window at least 2 hours a day when we needed a reprieve from the Flawduh sun. And with floor to ceiling windows & a view like this can you blame us?

There were the typical Miami experiences made better by the company & sunshine:

Giant drinks!

HUGE $6 breakfasts.

Random celeb sightings. (This is RL from Next, but we also saw Ciara & Amare, Floyd Mayweather, Sommore & Raheem Devaughn)

2 for 1 mimosas at BREAKFAST!

Crystal clear water

SUPER fresh sushi

and of course weirdos on the beach!

The view was so awesome...

We had company...

(There's a birdie on the ledge.)

This is the view of the ocean from the rooftop pool. Can you say AMAZING!?!?

We even got up early in the morning to watch the sunrise there 2 days in a row.

We spent alllllll day Saturday at the beach... here are all the pics fit to show:

This lil guy had his own private beach that his dad built for him & later his brother (left top corner) made a run for the waves.

NO ONE needs to see me in a two piece on the interwebs!

Meanwhile, THIS guy was doing his auditing homework on the beach! Ummm, no sir!

It was a great trip with great food & sights & I look forward to putting my feet to the sweet Miami streets again SOON!

Special Thanks to the super cool Congress staff that smoothed out all the rough spots & made it easy for us to relax. Especially Jeffrey, Adrian & Daniel!

Bacon Makes EVERYTHING Better

And a good cabernet...
And great customer service...

I took the beau to a birthday dinner at Restaurant Three in Arlington, VA. We were watching a show called bacon paradise and this place was featured. Once I found out they were local AND they made their own bacon, I WAS SOLD! I couldn't WAIT to go and was looking for the right occasion. Enter beau's birthday.

We arrived mega early because i can't tell or remember times. But we were seated right away. we were given 3 menus: The regular menu, the Restaurant Week menu, and the beer & wine menu. Their RW menu included an appetizer, an entree, a dessert and a draft beer or a glass of house wine. He had the duck breast lettuce wraps and I had the scallops & grits. He fell in love with the bourbon molasses, and I ADORED the scallops & grits because I can't eat shrimp so I had no idea what all the hype was about surrounding the whole shrimp & grits thing. Please note, "I can't eat shrimp" does NOT equal I am allergic to shellfish, Ok? Ok!
When our entrees came, I was in LOVE.
My meal:

Rib eye, marrow bone, mashed potatoes

Bacon wrapped pork loin, corn bread & bacon stuffing, brussel sprouts with beer & bacon

Unfortunately, I had to send my rib eye back. I ordered what he was having to-go as a replacement. The waiter apologized & then the manager came over & asked me if I wanted anything while I waited for the third course. In hindsight, I should have had the mac & cheese so I would know what it tasted like for the next time. However, I declined & waited quietly with my wine as the beau finished his meal. (Read- ate off his plate a few times). The waiter poured me another glass of wine and I was happy. Already satisfied with the leve of service I had recieved, the manager came back with another awesome surprise. One that guaranteed I would be returning!

When the dessert arrived, I think I may have SQUEALED!

 He had the chocolate cheesecake & I had the chocolate bread pudding with white chocolate sauce. Let's just say that that was THE BEST BREAD PUDDING I HAVE EVER HAD.

Overall, it was a GREAT experience & I cannot wait to go back! They have a Bacon Happy Hour on Thursday's and in September, they have Bacon week where EVERYTHING on the menu has bacon in it... I need to make sure I drink lots of water to ensure my pressure doesn't shoot up though!